Dhaka, Bangladesh: In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the death sentence of opposition leader ATM Azharul Islam, a senior figure of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, in a high-profile 1971 war crimes case. The verdict marks the first reversal of a capital punishment issued by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

Key Developments:

– Unanimous Decision: A 7-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed nullified the 2014 death penalty, calling the original verdict a “travesty of truth in the name of justice.”
– Immediate Release Ordered: Islam, jailed since 2012, will be freed unless wanted in other cases.
– Historic Reversal: This is the first time a Jamaat leader’s ICT conviction has been overturned after a decade of legal battles.

Case Background:

Islam was convicted in 2014 by the Hasina-era tribunal for alleged murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity in Rangpur during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war. The ICT, established in 2009, has sentenced over 50 opposition figures, including six Jamaat leaders executed between 2013-2016.

Broader Implications:

The ruling comes amid ongoing political turmoil following Hasina’s ouster in 2024 and raises questions about the legacy of the ICT, which supporters say delivered justice but critics call a “tool of vendetta.”

What’s Next?

– Islam’s release could reinvigorate Jamaat, banned from elections but still influential.
– The verdict may encourage appeals from other convicted opposition figures.