Bangladesh Supreme Court overturns death sentence, Jamaat leader acquitted; case dates back to 1971:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Bangladesh Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Jamaat-e-Islami leader Azharul Islam in a war crimes case related to the 1971 Liberation War.

In which case was the punishment given?

The apex court also annulled the death sentence awarded to Azharul by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in this case. Asif Najrul, legal adviser to the interim government of Professor Mohammad Yunus, has welcomed this decision.

The decision to acquit Azharul was taken by a full seven-member bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Rifat Ahmed, the government lawyer said. The court directed the jail authorities to immediately release Azharul from jail if he has not been arrested in any other case.

What were the allegations?

Jamaat leader Azharul, 73, was arrested on charges of crimes against humanity during the 1971 war. He was sentenced to death by the ICT for several charges including genocide, murder and rape.

In 2009, Bangladesh began a legal process to try people who had supported Pakistan's military during the 1971 war on charges of crimes against humanity. Following investigations and trials, top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and a senior leader of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party were hanged.