ICT chief prosecutor says interim govt order allowing Abul Kalam Azad to appeal death sentence was unlawful
The Chief Prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has declared the interim government's order allowing war crimes convict Abul Kalam Azad to appeal his death sentence as unlawful. The prosecutor argues that the executive order violates the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act of 1973.
Why it matters
This highlights a legal conflict between the executive branch and the judiciary in post-uprising Bangladesh regarding the handling of historical war crimes cases.
Star Online Report Photo: Collected The interim government’s order allowing war crimes convict Abul Kalam Azad to surrender on the condition that he would file an appeal against his death sentence was unlawful, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said today.
“The order itself was contrary to our law [International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973],” Aminul told reporters at his office.
He said the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 stipulates that an appeal must be filed within 30 days of a judgment.
“This applies to everyone -- whether it is Sheikh Hasina, Abul Kalam Azad or any other absconding accused, or even someone who is in jail,” he said.
“There is no scope for an executive order to supersede the International Crimes Tribunal Act,” the chief prosecutor said.
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