Civil society on Monday expressed disappointment over Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam escaping the death sentence for war crimes in 1971. An International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced the former amir of Jamaat to 90 years in prison. “We are not happy with the verdict. Azam was found guilty of all charges against him beyond reasonable doubt. He deserves capital punishment but the tribunal sentenced him to 90 years in prison considering his old age,” acting attorney general MK Rahman told reporters just after pronouncement of the judgment. “We will consider whether to appeal against the verdict or nor after getting a copy of the full judgment,” he added.
Prosecutor Zead Al Malum echoed Rahman. “We are not happy with the judgment,” he said.
Montasir Mamun, a professor of Dhaka University, who testified as a prosecution witness said he was not totally frustrated with the judgment. “Though Azam escaped the hangman’s noose for his crimes against the country’s people in 1971, he would be incarcerated for 90 years. This is as good as the death sentence. Therefore, I am not fully frustrated,” he said.
“The tribunal’s judgment has also established a historical truth that Jamaat-e-Islami was a criminal outfit. Now it’s up to the government to bar such an outfit from politics,” he added.
Cultural activist Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu also expressed dissatisfaction over the judgment. “As all the charges against Azam were proved beyond reasonable doubt, the tribunal should have given him the maximum punishment but it did not do so. I think the people of the country would not be happy with the judgment,” he said.
Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor Anwar Hossain echoed the sentiment. “Actually, I don’t agree with the verdict against the mastermind of crimes against humanity during the liberation war,” he said.
Liberation War museum trustee Mofidul Haque said, “We are aggrieved and frustrated. The country’s people had been eagerly waiting for this day for over 40 years but they didn’t get justice.” He added that the prosecution should file an appeal against the verdict, seeking capital punishment for Azam.
-With The Independent input
