Hearing on appeal of Jamaat’s Abul Kalam Azad set for Aug 31

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has set Aug 31 for a hearing on whether an appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami’s former Rukon (member) Abul Kalam Azad, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, can be heard.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division, comprising Justice Mohammad Rezaul Haque, Justice SMM Emdadul Hoque and Justice Farah Mahbub, passed the order on Monday.

Under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, an appeal against a tribunal verdict can be filed within 30 days. However, Azad was absconding abroad when the verdict was delivered on Jan 21, 2013, and therefore could not appeal at the time.

His case produced the first verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal after the trial of crimes against humanity began during the Awami League government. He was sentenced to death after being convicted on seven of eight charges—including murder, rape, abduction, confinement, arson and looting during the Liberation War.

After the fall of the Awami League government in the 2024 student-led mass uprising, reports emerged in March 2025 that Azad had returned to Bangladesh. He subsequently applied to the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking a suspension of his sentence.

In response to the application, the then interim government suspended his sentence on Oct 22, 2025. However, the suspension was granted on the condition that he surrender to the court and file an appeal.

In accordance with the condition, Azad surrendered to the tribunal on Jan 21 this year. He later filed an appeal after applying for certified copies of the verdict and other documents needed to prepare the appeal.