Bangladesh upholds death penalty for Islamic leader

By Mainul Islam Khan

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh's top court on Tuesday upheld a death sentence handed down against a member of the country's largest Islamic party for alleged war crimes committed during the nation's 1971 independence war.

The court rejected an appeal by Mir Quasem Ali, a leading member of Jamaat-e-Islami party, against his death sentence. Ali was charged with eight war crimes, including the abduction and murder of a young man.

Following the ruling, Jamaat-e-Islami party called for mass protests on Wednesday in protest of the verdict.

Bangladeshi authorities have set up special tribunals to investigate alleged war crimes committed during the country's independence war with Pakistan.

Several opposition politicians, including members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, have been convicted and executed since 2013.

Bangladesh has accused the Pakistani army and its local collaborators of killing up to three million people during the war, as well as decimating entire villages and raping thousands of women.

Bangladesh’s opposition parties and international organizations such as Human Rights Watch have criticized the tribunals and expressed concerns about the accused not receiving fair trials.

By Mainul Islam Khan

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Following the ruling, Jamaat-e-Islami party called for mass protests on Wednesday in protest of the verdict.

Bangladeshi authorities have set up special tribunals to investigate alleged war crimes committed during the country's independence war with Pakistan.

Several opposition politicians, including members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, have been convicted and executed since 2013.

Bangladesh has accused the Pakistani army and its local collaborators of killing up to three million people during the war, as well as decimating entire villages and raping thousands of women.

Bangladesh’s opposition parties and international organizations such as Human Rights Watch have criticized the tribunals and expressed concerns about the accused not receiving fair trials.