DHAKA: The Supreme Court Appellate Division will deliver its verdict on Tuesday (March 8) on appeal of war crimes convict Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali.
A 5-member full bench of the Appellate Division, to be headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha, will pronounce its final decision on the day.
The other four members include Justice Mirza Hossain Haider, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and Justice Mohammad Bazlur Rahman.
Earlier on February 24, the apex court set the date after both the prosecution and defense concluded their arguments.
At a press briefing, attorney general Mahbubey Alam, state side of the case, hoped that the verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal (OCT) will remain upheld.
On the other hand, defense hoped that Mir Qausem Ali will be acquitted from all charges brought against him.
Besides, Ganajagaron Mancha declared that they would return home hearing the death penalty for Mir Quasem Ali.
On February 24, the 7th day of appeal hearing, the attorney general completed his argument in the appeal case. In reply, Mir Quasem’s chief counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain placed his final argument.
On February 9, the apex court started hearing the argument on appeal filed challenging the death penalty for war crimes convict Jamaat-e-Islami leader.
Mir Quasem Ali’s lawyer SM Shahjahan submitted written arguments to the court on the day.
On January 6, the appellate division fixed February 2 as the date of appeal hearing. Later, the court re-fixed February 9 as the date after an appeal by the defense lawyer.
Earlier on November 2 in 2014, a three-member panel of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 led by Justice Obaidul Hassan awarded death sentence to the Jamaat leader in the 11th and 12th number of charges.
As per the verdict, Mir Quasem Ali was proved guilty in 10 charges out of 14. The charge numbers are: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7,9,10, 11, 12 and 14.
On November 30 of that year, he filed the appeal seeking acquittal from all charges.
The 62-year-old was the chief of Chittagong Al-Badr, an auxiliary force of Pakistani army.
BDST: 1414 HRS, MAR 07, 2016
RS/RR/SMS
