War crimes convict SQ Chowdhury will seek review of death verdict: Lawyer

Salauddin Quader Chowdhury has decided to seek a review of the top court’s verdict that confirmed his death sentence for war crimes, says his lawyer.

The BNP leader’s counsel, Md Hujjatul Islam Khan Al Fesani, met him at Gazipur’s Kashimpur prison on Tuesday, five days after the Appellate Division published the full verdict.

Fesani said they discussed the review petition during the half-hour meeting.

“He gave directions about the review,” Fesani told reporters. “We did not talk about anything else."

A special tribunal sentenced the six-time MP from Chittagong to death on Oct 1, 2013 for genocide and torture of Hindus and Awami League supporters in the region during the Liberation War.

He appealed on Oct 29, 2013 but the top court upheld the death verdict on July 29 this year.

The court published the verdict on Oct 1. A war crimes convict gets 15 days to seek a review after the final verdict is read out to him.

Chowdhury’s lawyer said they would file for review within the time specified.

“I hope the court will take note of our points in the petition and let my client walk free,” he added.

Chowdhury had discussed seeking a review of the final verdict when the members of his family met him on Monday.

A death warrant issued by the tribunal was read out to the 66-year-old former minister on Oct 2.

If the review petition is resolved in favour of the death penalty, Chowdhury can seek presidential mercy and meet his close relatives.

The government will execute him in jail if he is denied pardon or if he decides not to appeal.