Jamaat leader Azharul’s review hearing on Tuesday

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has fixed February 25 (Tuesday) to hear the review petition of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam concerning his death sentence for crimes committed against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

An Appellate Division bench, led by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam, passed the order on Sunday (February 23) morning.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman presented the matter for hearing. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and Azharul’s defense lawyer, Mohammad Shishir Monir were also present in court.

The Attorney General informed the Appellate Division that Azharul’s review petition had been scheduled for hearing on February 20 but was not heard that day.

On July 19, 2020, the defence filed a review petition, seeking Azharul’s acquittal.

The Supreme Court upheld Azharul’s death sentence in its verdict on October 23, 2019. The full text of the judgment was released on March 25, 2020.

Azharul was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1) on December 30, 2014, for his involvement in crimes against humanity in Rangpur during the Liberation War. The tribunal found him guilty on five of the six charges brought against him.

He filed an appeal against his conviction on January 28, 2015.