Fugitive death-row convict Abul Kalam Azad surrenders to ICT

Fugitive convict Abul Kalam Azad, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, surrendered to the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday morning, January 21.

Last year, under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code, he applied to the Ministry of Home Affairs for stay of execution. He was convicted of seven out of eight charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War. He was sentenced to death for three offences, while four other charges carried prison terms that were not executed due to the death sentences. One charge was dismissed for lack of evidence.

He was found guilty of killing 14 people, raping three women, abducting nine, detaining ten, burning five houses, and looting property from 15 houses during the war.

This verdict marked the first judgment in any war crimes case, although Azad could not be produced before the tribunal as he was absconding. He reportedly fled to Pakistan via India before an arrest warrant was issued.

The trial concluded on December 26, 2012, after arguments from both sides, leaving the verdict pending (CAV) until the tribunal’s order.

Earlier, International Crimes Tribunal-2 had begun announcing its judgment against Abul Kalam Azad for crimes against humanity committed in 1971.