The families of war criminals Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid have been making last-ditch moves to have their executions delayed.
Published : 21 Nov 2015, 01:12 PM
BNP leader Salauddin’s family told reporters that they would write to the President arguing that his trial had not been fair.
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mujahid’s family, on the other hand, urged the government not to execute him until the Aug 21 grenade attack case had been resolved.
Both families addressed the media separately on Saturday but did not say whether Salauddin Quader or Mujahid would seek clemency from the President.
But to seek mercy from the president, they will have to admit to their crimes.
It may be recalled that two previously executed war criminals declined to seek presidential clemency.
Salauddin’s wife Farhat Quader Chowdhury did not specify if the convict would seek mercy.
Salauddin’s son Hummam Quader Chowdhury said the family would send the letter to the President by Saturday.
Mujahid’s wife Tamanna-e-Jahan said the Jamaat leader had been implicated in the grenade attack case.
“As a citizen of Bangladesh, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid has the right to continue the legal battle in this case,” she said. “He wants to clear his name.”
Former Al-Badr commander Mujahid was sentenced to death in 2013 for the murder of intellectuals and killing of Hindus during the Liberation War.
Salauddin Quader was handed the death penalty for the killing of Hindus and Awami League supporters in 1971.
Both served as ministers— Mujahid under Khaleda Zia and Salauddin under military dictator HM Ershad. Salauddin also served as parliamentary affairs advisor to Khaleda Zia.