The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court fixed January 23 for holding the hearing on a review petition filed by death-row convict and Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam in connection with crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Liberation War in 1971.
On Thursday, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed, fixed the date after senior lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzak, accompanied by others, moved with the review petition on behalf of the Jamaat leader.
Earlier, on July 19, 2020, ATM Azharul Islam filed the review petition with the relevant branch of the Appellate Division.
The 23-page petition presented a total of 14 arguments for reconsideration.
Following his arrest, ATM Azhar faced nine charges of crimes against humanity. According to the chargesheet, he was 'responsible' for killing 1,256 people, abducting 17, and raping 13 women during the Liberation War in the Rangpur region. Besides, he was said to have tortured civilians, set fire to hundreds of houses, and committed other atrocities.
