Judging Nizami: Six years at a glance

The execution of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami has capped off a six year-long legal process.

A top war criminal, the fifth to hang for heinous crimes against his own people during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, his punishment allows the nation to come to terms with its brutal beginnings.

2010

Jun 29: Nizami is arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments.

Aug 2: Shown arrested for crimes against humanity.

2011

Dec 11: Prosecution files official charges against the Ameer-e-Jamaat.

Nizami hearing adjourned for a day

2012

May 28: Trial begins with 16 charges at the International Crimes Tribunal-1.

Aug 26: Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury first to testify for the prosecution which brought a total of 26 witnesses against four by the defence.

2013

Nov 13: Verdict is awaited after both sides finish argument.

Dec 31: Justice ATM Fazle Kabir resigns as chairman of three-strong tribunal.

2014

Feb 23: Justice M Enayetur Rahim is appointed new head of ICT-1.

Feb 25: A newly constituted tribunal fixes Mar 10 for hearing fresh arguments.

Mar 24: Judges keep verdict pending again after hearing concluding statements from both sides.

Jun 24: Tribunal postpones delivery of verdict after Nizami reportedly falls ill in prison.

Jul 3: Jail authorities submit report to tribunal on Nizami’s health.

Oct 28: ICT-1 sets Oct 29 as verdict date.

Oct 29: Nizami is announced guilty by the tribunal in eight of 16 charges and sentenced to death in four. He is handed life imprisonment on four charges.

Nov 23: Nizami’s defence files appeal stating 168 causes for acquittal.

2015

Sep 9: Supreme Court starts hearing his appeal.

Dec 8: Appellate bench fixes Jan 6 for its verdict after ten days of hearing.

2016

Jan 6: Supreme Court upholds death for Nizami while allowing in part the appeal filed by the defence.

Mar 15: Supreme Court’s full verdict published. The ICT issues death warrant, it is read out to Nizami in Kahsimpur jail the next day.

Mar 29: Nizami files review petition against verdict.

May 3: Appellate Division after hearing review schedules verdict for May 5.

May 5: The review petition is dismissed for having no merit.

May 8: Nizami moved from Gazipur’s Kashimpur prison to Dhaka Central Jail.

Supreme Court's full verdict on Nizami’s review appeal, wrapped in red cloth, is being taken to the Dhaka Central Jail by an official of the ICT.

May 9: Full review verdict is published and sent to ICT. The documents wrapped in red cloth taken to Dhaka Central Jail.

May 11: Nizami executed at Dhaka Central Jail.