Abul Kalam Azad appeals against death sentence

Former Jamaat-e-Islami member Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, has appealed against the verdict.

His appeal was listed for hearing before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday.

The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Azad to death in absentia on January 21, 2013. It was the tribunal’s first verdict in a case involving crimes against humanity since the country’s independence.

Azad, who became known for hosting Islamic programmes on private television channels, was accused of committing crimes against humanity in different areas of Faridpur during the Liberation War.

After remaining absconding for years, he surrendered to the tribunal on January 21 this year. Earlier, the President had suspended his death sentence for one year on the condition that he surrender and appeal against the verdict.

According to his lawyer, Mashiul Alam, the suspension allowed Azad to seek an appeal. After his surrender, the tribunal accepted it and ordered that the necessary documents be provided to facilitate the appeal.

The appeal against his death sentence is now on the Appellate Division’s cause list.

SKS