The Supreme Court of Bangladesh will announce its verdict on May 27 in the appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam against his death sentence for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The second day of hearings concluded today before a seven-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. During the session, defence lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir argued that legal procedures were misapplied in the original trial. He was joined by fellow lawyer Syed Md. Raihan Uddin.
Earlier, the Appellate Division began the appeal hearing on May 6, after listing the case on April 22. The initial hearing also featured arguments from Shishir Manir, prompting the court to schedule an additional day for further deliberation.
ATM Azharul Islam was sentenced to death in 2014 by the International Crimes Tribunal for genocide, murder, and other atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. His appeal has been under review by the country’s highest court.
The upcoming verdict is expected to be a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s long-standing efforts to bring justice for wartime atrocities.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
