Slogans, marches to hang Sayedee

As International Crimes Tribunal read out its verdict on charges of war crimes against Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee, hundreds of people gathered outside the tribunal to demand his death for war crimes.

About 50 freedom fighters from Uttara and Khilgaon units of Muktijoddha Command Council filled the air near Matsya Bhaban with slogans, demanding the hanging of Sayedee for perpetrating crimes against humanity during 1971.

Their slogans reiterate the pledge that they would not return home until all war criminals are hanged.

The three members of the tribunal-its Chairman judge ATM Fazle Rabbi, and two other members Jahangir Hossain and Anwarul Hoque-entered the tribunal premises by 9:15am.

The verdict comes amid countrywide strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami for release of their leader, and Shahbagh protesters demanding that all war criminals be hanged.

Situation escalated when another Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla was given life term and thousands gathered at Shahbagh uprising to demand his death. Protesters said the sentence was lenient given the gravity of the offences.

Jamaat also enforced strikes to counter the protest and set national flags and Shaheed Minar replicas on fire across the country.

In its previous two verdicts, ICT observed that Jamaat itself was involved in the war crimes by aiding Pakistani occupation force in suppresing for Independence.

The war crimes trial, coming four decades after the 1971 Liberation, has been seen by many as justice delayed but not totally denied.