If Latif Siddiqui is sentenced to death without guilt, we will accept it: Kader Siddiqui

Kader Siddiqui, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League and younger brother of former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, has reacted after his brother was shown arrested in a crimes against humanity case over the Shapla Chattar killings.

He said that if Latif Siddiqui were sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, the family would accept the verdict.

Speaking to reporters at the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday, Kader Siddiqui said he had no objection to his brother being handcuffed.

"It is up to the government," he said. "We ourselves have been handcuffed many times in the past. We do not consider it dishonourable. Just as a bride wears bangles at her wedding, we see handcuffs in a similar way."

He alleged that an innocent man had been made an accused and claimed that Latif Siddiqui was not given the opportunity to speak in court, despite every accused person having the right to present their statement.

Referring to the allegations, Kader Siddiqui said his brother is now 87 years old. "If he is sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, then perhaps God will forgive whatever mistakes he may have made in life. If such a verdict comes, we will accept it."

Rejecting claims that Latif Siddiqui planned the Shapla Chattar operation, Kader Siddiqui argued that his brother was not part of the government's inner decision-making circle at the time.

He said Latif Siddiqui was serving as Jute Minister, had become controversial within the Awami League, and was later expelled from the party.

Kader Siddiqui further alleged that his brother is now being held responsible for actions committed during the Awami League government's tenure, describing the case as politically motivated.

He added that the family would continue to fight the case through the legal process.