Dhaka, Aug 17 (V7N)- The Appellate Division has fixed August 31 for hearing on whether an appeal filed by Abul Kalam Azad seeking acquittal from his death sentence in a 1971 crimes against humanity case will be admissible.
The court will also hear an application seeking an extension of the suspension of his death sentence.
On Monday (August 17), a three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Justice Md Rezaul Haque adjourned the hearing and set August 31 as the next date.
Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Aminul Islam told the court that the prosecution had opposed the suspension of the sentence. He argued that there was no precedent for accepting an appeal after the expiry of the 30-day period.
Azad's lawyer, however, argued that his client had been sentenced to death as a result of political considerations. The defence therefore sought an extension of the suspension of his sentence while pursuing the appeal.
According to the case history, following the political change on August 5, 2024, the executive branch suspended Azad's death sentence subject to his surrender.
He subsequently surrendered before the tribunal on January 21 this year.
Abul Kalam Azad was the first accused to be sentenced to death in a crimes against humanity case related to the 1971 Liberation War.
END/SMA/AJ
