Jamaat leader Sayedee to seek review of his punishment for war crimes as well

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee will file a review petition for acquittal even though his death sentence has been reduced to prison until death.

His three lawyers and son spoke to journalists of the plans after meeting him at Dhaka Central Jail-1 at Kashimpur in Gazipur on Wednesday.

One of the lawyers, Matiur Rahman Akhand, said, “Three different verdicts on the trial came from the Appellate Division. One judge acquitted him, another handed down the death penalty while the three others sentenced him to jail until death.”

“Why should there be so much difference in the judgment? It goes to show that the Prosecution has failed to prove the charges against him. The allegations against him are politically motivated. He should not carry this penalty since the charges have not been proven,” he said.

They will base their argument on this ground, he said before adding, “Sayedee believes he will get justice and be freed.”

Jail Superintendent Subrata Kumar Bala said Sayedee’s son Masud and his three counsels spoke to the Nayeb-e-Amir of Jamaat for nearly half an hour.

Only a day before, the State filed the application for a review of the judgment with the relevant section of the Supreme Court.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam later told journalists, “We have filed a review petition.”

According to the rules, a petition for a review of the appeals verdict has to be filed by the State or defence within 15 days after the full verdict is published or made known to them – whichever occurs earlier.

Masud Sayedee said on Tuesday that they received a copy of the full judgment on Jan 3 and so, they have until Jan 18 to go for a review.

The Supreme Court’s full verdict was published on Dec 31, 2015, fifteen months after the Appellate Division pronounced the verdict.

This is the first case of the war crimes trial in which the State is seeking to maintain the tribunal’s verdict.

Sayedee was given the death penalty on two counts of crimes against humanity in 2013 by the war crimes tribunal.

Known as 'Deilya Razakar' in 1971, he was found guilty of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

The number two leader of Jamaat-e-Islami had appealed against the death sentence, seeking acquittal in the case.

On Sep 17, 2014, the Appellate Division bench headed by the then Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain delivered the verdict.

It was a majority judgment by the five-strong bench.

Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah wanted to acquit Sayedee of all charges but Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury supported the death penalty.