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Published : 30 Aug 2016, 02:21 PM
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected Mir Quasem's review petition for the death sentence on him, clearing the way for his execution on charges the abduction, torture and killing of Jasim and five others during Bangladesh’s nine-month War of Independence from Pakistan in 1971.
Hasina, who was also a prosecution witness in the war crimes case, in her immediate reaction told bdnews24.com: "We are happy. We'll be happier with the speedy execution of the verdict."
She said that Jashim was just 18 at that time and the family stayed at Sandwip. He was actively involved in the freedom struggle.
She remembered that, Jashim, her paternal aunt's son, had come calling a day after Eid-ul-Fitr in November 1971 and had expressed his desire to relish some pulao.
Hasina heeded to her cousin's request. When he stepped out of their house that day, he was picked up by the pro-Pakistan Al-Badr militias.
The Charge No. 11 brought against Mir Quasem, alias ‘Khan Saheb’ of Dalim Hotel, by the prosecution alleged that he had ordered the killing of the teenage freedom fighter on Nov 8, 1971, after abducting him.
The young fighter’s body along with five other unknown dead was thrown into the Karnaphuli River.
Jashim was detained at the notorious Dalim Hotel which has become a metaphor for the atrocities committed by Al-Badr during the Liberation War.
"They had detained Jashim in Dalim Hotel and unleashed inhuman torture on him. One day he wanted some water after a round of gruelling torture, but they did not give him even that," Hasina Khatun said.
Another detainee, Advocate Shafiul Alam, told the family later that he had given Jashim water in which hands had been rinsed for drinking.
Shafiul and several others were freed from Dalim Hotel after Bangladesh became independent. He was then able to tell the family about the torture Jashim sufered, Hasina remembered.
Saying 'the terror of Chittagong' Mir Quasem is still a 'powerful man', she said that he had managed to buy much time through reviews and petitions with his wealth. "None of the others (war criminals) have been able to do that."
Expressing satisfaction with Mir Quasem's review plea being rejected, Hasina said, "I have got justice for my brother's murder. Now I hope the verdict will be carried out quickly."
She expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina for her initiative to try the war criminals and give justice to the freedom fighters.
She hoped that the other war criminals will also be tried properly.
