SC begins hearing on appeal of Azharul

After more than three years, the Supreme Court yesterday began hearing on an appeal in connection with a war crimes case.

The apex court started hearing on the appeal filed by former Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam against the death penalty given to him by a war crimes tribunal.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday set today for resuming the hearing.

At the start, Azhar’s lawyer Advocate Joynal Abedin Tuhin read out from the paper book of the case before the SC.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on December 30, 2014 sentenced Azharul, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, to death for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War. Later on, Azharul filed an appeal with the SC challenging the verdict.

In the appeal, he prayed to the Appellate Division to acquit him of the charges, claiming to be innocent.

On February 24, 2016, the apex court for the last time had concluded hearing on the appeal of war criminal and Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, challenging his death penalty given by a tribunal for committing crimes against humanity and the war crimes during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The SC upheld his death penalty on March 8, 2016 and he was executed on September 3 the same year.

Around 25 such appeals are pending with the SC.