Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has scheduled February 20 for a hearing on the review petition filed by Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam. The petition seeks to revisit the court’s previous decision that upheld his death sentence, which was initially handed down by International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the hearing date was set by a four-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. The decision came as the matter appeared on today’s cause list. Barrister Abdur Razzaq, a senior jurist, represented the Jamaat leader in the courtroom.
The Supreme Court had previously set today for the hearing on the matter, following a decision on January 9. The defense filed a 23-page review plea on July 19, 2020, seeking Azhar’s acquittal on 14 grounds. The Appellate Division had initially upheld Azhar’s death sentence on October 31, 2019, and released the full judgment text on March 25, 2020.
The ICT-1 sentenced Azhar to death on December 30, 2014, for crimes against humanity in Rangpur during the 1971 war. The tribunal found him guilty on five out of the six charges against him. Azharul Islam filed an appeal against his conviction on January 28, 2015.