‘Another verdict to purge guilt’

Prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum has said the death verdict of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mir Quasem Ali has helped Bangladesh challenge the 'culture of impunity’.

Believed to be one of the party’s top financier, Mir Quasem Ali has been sentenced to hang till death by the International Crimes Tribunal-2’s chair Justice Obaidul Hassan for his war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War.

The verdict was read out in a packed courtroom on Sunday morning.

Among 14 of the charges, the court passed the death sentence with regard to two. Eight other charges had also been proved, while two were partially proven.

“Mir Quasem has been sentenced to death for killing young freedom fighter ‘Jashim’ and several others not identified and dumping their bodies into the Karnaphuli River,” said Prosecutor Zead-Al-Malum after the verdict was pronounced.

He was given 72-years in prison for charges including torture, abduction and confinement,” he added.

He feels the verdict has done justice to martyrs’ families, sufferers, and countrymen.

Zead-Al-Malum also said, “The court has observed that with directions from erstwhile Jamaat leader Ghulam Azam Islami Chhatra Sangha leader Mir Quasem killed freedom fighters and defenceless ordinary people, tortured them, which is a significant crime against humanity in history.

“The nation has crossed another step in purging the nation’s sense of guilt through the judgement.”

When asked if an appeal would be made against the verdict, Prosecutor Tureen Afroz said, “A decision will be taken after a discussion on the issue.”

This was the 11th verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal after the process of trying suspected war criminals began in 2010.

The war crimes accused was brought to Dhaka from Gazipur's Kahsimpur Central Jail on Friday. A prison van took him to the tribunal from Dhaka Central Jail on Sunday morning.