DU leftist student organizations protest ATM Azhar's acquittal

Leftist student groups staged protests rally at Dhaka University in reaction to the acquittal of ATM Azharul Islam in a 1971 war crimes case.

The rally began at the historic Madhur Canteen and marched through several campus streets around 4:30pm on Tuesday (May 27).

The protesters raised slogans, alleging that the verdict was politically influenced by the government. They said, "Acquitting and releasing a convicted war criminal is not only an insult to the spirit of the Liberation War but also a betrayal of the martyrs’ sacrifice."

Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division overturned the death sentence given by the International Crimes Tribunal and acquitted ATM Azharul Islam of all charges. A brief version of the verdict, signed by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, was released in the afternoon.

In the three-page summary of the verdict, the Appellate Division declared that ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted of all charges and ordered his immediate release from prison.

His lawyers confirmed that, since there are no other cases pending against him, there are no legal obstacles to his release.