Bangladesh hangs Jamaat-e-Islami leader for crimes committed in 1971 war

Bangladesh hanged Jamaat-e-Islami party leader, Motiur Rehman Nizami on Wednesday amid strong protest from his party members. Nizami had been ordered to the gallows for committing crimes during the 1971 war of Independence from Pakistan.

The news of his hanging was delivered by the country’s law minister and the move risks provoking an angry reaction from Nizami’s supporters. It was reported that Nizami was hanged at Dhaka Central jail just after midnight. The Supreme Court had earlier rejected his final plea against the death sentence, which had been imposed by a special tribunal for genocide, rape and orchestrating the massacre of top intellectuals during the 1971 war.

Nizami used to be a legislator and minister during opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s last term as prime minister. However, after her term ended and the current party came into power, Nizami was sentenced to death in 2014.

News of Nizami’s execution was met with a lot of jubilation as people came out on the streets to celebrate.
“We have waited for this day for a long 45 years,” said war veteran Akram Hossain. “Justice has finally been served,” he added.

However, there are others who are not too happy about these executions and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is drawing criticism for victimizing her political opponents through the war crimes tribunal.

Nizami’s supporters are expected to lash out against the government over this execution, so the government is taking extra security measures. Thousands of extra police and border guards were deployed in Dhaka and other major cities to cater to any violence.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=52955

Posted by fatimaarshad on May 11 2016. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.