The court on Monday sentenced 91-year old Azam to 90 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. Mamun gave deposition as the first witness in the trial.
“Personally, I am disappointed with Ghulam Azam’s 90 years sentence. But the verdict has proved that Jamaat as a whole is guilty of war crimes,” said Mamun, Professor of History at Dhaka University.
Despite his dissatisfaction, he is not disheartened, claimed Mamun.
“Countless Bengalis had to give their lives because of this wretch. We demanded death penalty, and it upsets us that the court gave him 90 years jail term because of his age,” said Vice Chancellor of Jahanginagar University, Professor Anwar Hossain reacting to the verdict.
President of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu said “This verdict has saddened us. We feel angry and frustrated.”
“The public wanted maximum penalty, but this verdict doesn’t reflect that,” he said.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday found Azam guilty of five charges including conspiracy, incitement, planning, abetting and failing to prevent murder. But he received a 90 year long prison term considering his advanced age.
