‘What mercy petition?’ quips war criminal Salauddin Quader Chowdhury’s brother

Begging mercy from the president is the last thing that may save BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury who faces imminent execution for war crimes.

But his brother Jamaluddin Quader Chowdhury appeared as arrogant as him on Thursday after meeting the convict in Dhaka jail.

Reporters asked him whether his brother would seek presidential clemency.

“What mercy petition?” he said in a defiant tone.

Jamaluddin left the place along with the rest of the family members without taking any other question from the gathered press pack.

None of the other family members spoke to the media on Thursday.

Former minister Salauddin Quader had made headlines often in the past for his comments and remained defiant during the trial.

A tribunal sentenced the Chittagong wartime terror to death in 2013 for the killing of Hindus and Awami League activists during the Liberation War.

The Appellate Division upheld the death sentence early this year and finally threw out his review petition, bringing down the curtains on the legal procedures.

His only option now is to seek presidential pardon. If he does not seek mercy or if the president rejects his plea, the government will go ahead with his execution.