`No bar to execute Mir Quasem if he denies mercy plea`

Secretariat Correspondent: Law Minister Anisul Huq said, according to law, the convicted war criminal Mir Quasem Ali could seek presidential clemency within 7 days. There is no legal bar to execute him immediately if he does not seek mercy.

The Minister came up with the reaction after the Supreme Court (SC) upheld the death penalty for Mir Quasem Ali rejecting his review plea on Tuesday.

Anisul Huq said, "Government along with people of the country is satisfied with the verdict. The rule of law has been established through the judgment."

The Minister said, "Rashed Chowdhury, the fugitive killer of Bangabandhu, will be brought back from the United States. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed over the issue with US State Minister John Kerry. I myself also talked to John Kerry over returning him. He (Kerry) assured us to discuss the matter with US government."

risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 30, 2016/Naymuddin/A K Azad/Amirul