War criminal Mir Quasem appeared 'nervous' hearing review verdict, says prison official

War crimes convict Mir Quasem Ali has heard the news of the Supreme Court dismissing the petition to review his death sentence on radio in his cell at Gazipur's Kashimpur prison, say jail officials.

After the International Crimes Tribunal in November 2014 sentenced the Jamaat-e-Islami leader to death for his 1971 war-time atrocities, the Appellate Division in March this year upheld that judgment.

As a last ditch attempt to save his neck, Mir Quasem pleaded for review of his sentence, which  the chief justice-led appeals bench dismissed on Tuesday.

Md Nasir Ahmed, the jailer of Central Jail-2 at Kashimpur, told bdnews24.com that inmates are allowed to keep a single band radio. Mir Quasem heard the news on his radio in the morning.

"He had been looking strong earlier, but after hearing the verdict's news he appeared very nervous," Ahmed said.

He said they will read out the copy of the full review verdict to the death-row convict after receiving it and ask him whether he would seek presidential clemency.

 "If he wants to file a mercy petition, he will get time for that. And if not, preparations will be made to execute him. The government will fix the date and place for that.

"But we have the executioner ready and are prepared to carry out the hanging," the jailer added.

Police had arrested Jammat's Central Executive Council member Mir Quasem on Jun 17, 2012, in the war crimes case. His trial started on Sep 5 next year.

Since his arrest, Mir Quasem has been kept at Kashimpur jail. He was given a division cell at first, but after the ICT sentenced him to death the Jamaat financier was transferred to a condemned cell.

 He was taken to Dhaka Central Jail in the capital on Jun 20, but was transported back to Kashimpur a month later.