The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has acquitted Jamaat-e-Islami leader death row convict ATM Azharul Islam from the charges of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.
The country’s highest court overturned the verdict previously issued by the International Crimes Tribunal.
On Tuesday morning (27 May), a full bench of seven justices, led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the landmark judgement.
This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s judicial history that a person sentenced to death for crimes against humanity has been acquitted by the Appellate Division.
Following the verdict, Azharul Islam’s legal team confirmed that there are no remaining legal barriers to his release.
The Appellate Division of the SC gave the permission of filing petition against the death penalty of Azhar on 26 February last.
Earlier on 30 December in 2014, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) handed down death penalty against Azharul Islam.
The Appellate Division of the SC later on 31 October in 2019 upheld the trial court verdict after hearing appeal against the verdict.
Azhar later filed a petition with the Appellate Division seeking review of the apex court verdict on 19 July in 2020.
