Hearing on 3 death sentence appeals in November

The Appellate Division has fixed 21 November for the hearing of the case against three leaders who were sentenced to death for committing crimes against humanity.

The leaders are ATM Azharul Islam, Muhammad Abdus Subhan and former state minister for agriculture Syed Md. Kaysar.

A five-member appeal bench led by acting chief justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah passed the order on Tuesday morning.

The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Subhan to death on charges of crimes against humanity on 18 February 2015. In the verdict, six allegations out of nine were proven against Subhan. Subhan appealed against the verdict on 18 March. On 20 September 2012, the law enforcers picked up Subhan near Bangabandhu Bridge. On 23 September, he was shown arrested for committing crimes against the humanity. Since then he has been in jail.

For committing similar crimes, former state minister for agriculture and Jatiya Party leader Syed Md Kaysar was sentenced to death on 23 December 2014 while ATM Azharul Islam was sentenced to death on 30 December the same year.

Kaysar appealed against the death sentence on 19 January 2015 and Azhar on 28 January.

Hearing on appeal by Azhar and Kaysar was held on 13 August. The Appellate Division fixed 10 October for the next hearing. After hearing the appeal by Subhan on 16 August, the Appellate Division fixed 16 October for the next hearing.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam sought time for hearing on behalf of the state.

Advocate Zainul Abedin was the defence counsel for Azhar and Subhan, and advocate SM Shajahan for Syed Md. Kaysar.  

Source: Prothom Alo