DHAKA, Jan 9, 2025 (BSS) - The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today set January 23 for holding hearing on Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam's petition pleading to review its judgment that upheld his death sentence initially awarded by International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 for crimes against humanity and war crimes in 1971.
 
A five-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order as the matter came on today's cause list for hearing. 
 
Confirming the newsmen, Azhar's counsel Mohammad Shishir Manir said senior lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzaq will take part in the hearing for the Jamaat leader. 
 
The defence on July 19, 2020, filed the 23-page review plea, seeking Azhar's acquittal on 14 grounds.
 
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on October 31, 2019, pronounced its judgment, upholding death for ATM Azharul Islam. On March 25, 2020, the apex court released the full text of that judgment.
 
The ICT-1 on December 30, 2014, sentenced Azhar to death for his crimes against humanity in Rangpur during the War of Liberation. The tribunal in its judgment said it found him guilty in five of the total six charges it had framed against him.
 
Azharul Islam filed the appeal against his conviction on January 28, 2015.