ATM Azhar's appeal hearing adjourned until Thursday

The first day of the appeal hearing against the death sentence of Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam in the war crimes case has concluded. The Appellate Division has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday (May 8).

A full bench of seven justices of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, fixed the date on Tuesday (May 6) afternoon.

Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir represented the Jamaat leader in court, assisted by Advocate Raihan Uddin and Barrister Najib Momen. Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim appeared on behalf of the International Crimes Tribunal.

Earlier, the hearing began at 10am. Following the session, lawyer Shishir Monir told reporters, “About 90 percent of the hearing has been completed. We will continue on Thursday.”

ATM Azharul Islam faced charges of six counts of crimes against humanity involving nine types of offenses during the 1971 Liberation War in the Rangpur region. These included genocide, murder, abduction, rape, detention, torture, grievous injury, looting, and arson of homes.

On December 30, 2014, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced then Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Azharul Islam, to death for charges 2, 3, and 4.

In addition, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abduction, torture, rape, and other inhumane acts under charge 5, and 5 years in prison for torture under charge 6.