Jamaat chief calls war crimes verdicts a 'deliberate purge' of party leadership

"Making a country and a political party leaderless is like pushing them into darkness," says Shafiqur Rahman

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has described the 1971 war crimes verdicts as a "deliberate purge" of the party's leadership.

He made the remarks at an emergency media briefing on Tuesday after the Supreme Court acquitted party leader ATM Azharul Islam of war crimes, overturning his death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal.

"This verdict has made it clear that there was a deliberate attempt to wipe out [the party] leadership," Shafiqur said.

"A responsible leader isn't born every day or in every household. It's a blessing from Allah. Making a country and a political party leaderless is like pushing them into darkness."

The Jamaat chief continued, "This verdict proves that you can't conceal the truth. Truth is like a ray of light that pierces through dense clouds. Allah has showed us that truth today."

In an emotional tone, Shafiqur offered a prayer for the people of Bangldesh, saying: "We don't want titles, indulgences, or pride in leadership in this world. We want to do good for the people we love. Please enable us to do so."

The full bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, exonerated Azharul after hearing his appeal for the second time in six years.

WAR CRIMES TRIALS

Shafiqur criticised the conduct of the war crimes trials, claiming that neither international nor domestic legal standards were followed.

"The Evidence Act wasn’t followed as well. The Constitution and relevant laws were disregarded. Those who ran the court had the ultimate authority, regardless of whether it was legal or not. They orchestrated this massacre. The High Court in Britain said the cases were farces in the name of trial, a genocide of justice.”

"Today, the Bangladesh court has said as much through this verdict."

The Jamaat chief then paid tribute to party leaders who had been executed or died while convicted of war crimes, including Ghulam Azam, Sheikh Abul Kalam Md Yusuf, Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Muhammad Kamruzzaman, Abdul Kader Mollah, Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Abdul Khalek Mondal, Moulana Abdus Subhan Rahimullah, and Mir Kashem Ali.