War crimes case: Bangladesh SC acquits Jamaat-e-Islami leader

Dhaka: The Supreme Court of Bangladesh today upheld the death for Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali in connection with a war crimes case. He was acquitted in three charges, including one from death penalty.

A five-member full bench of Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, delivered the verdict, reports Daily Star.

The apex court upheld Quasem’s death for murder of freedom fighter Jasim.

A war crimes tribunal set up in 2010 has sparked violence and drawn criticism from opposition politicians, including leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami party that it is victimising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political opponents.

Mir Quasem, 63, is a member of central executive committee of the Jamaat, the largest Islamist party in Bangladesh, and is one of its most powerful leaders as he is believed to be the chief financer of the party.

Quasem is also a leading businessman in Bangladesh, running firms ranging from print and electronic media to hospitals.

He was arrested on June 17, 2012 and convicted of war crimes and sentenced to death on November 2, 2014.

Quasem was acquitted for murdering Ranjit Das and Tuntu Sen, abduction, two counts of abduction, confinement and torture of Saifuddin Khan and Harunur Rashid Khan.(ANI)