DHAKA, May 8, 2025 (BSS) – The Supreme Court (SC) today fixed May 27 next for delivering a verdict on the appeal of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, seeking acquittal of death penalty given against him on  charges of crimes against humanity, during the War of Liberation in 1971.

The full bench of the Appellate Division of the SC led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order after hearing both the prosecution and the defense.

SC lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir moved for the defense while Advocate Gazi H Tamim for the state.

The Appellate Division of the SC gave the permission of filing petition against the death penalty of Azhar on February 26 last. 

Earlier on December 30 in 2014, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) handed down death penalty against Azharul Islam. 

The Appellate Division of the SC later on October 31 in 2019 upheld the trial court verdict after hearing appeal against the verdict. 

Azhar later filed a petition with the Appellate Division seeking review of the apex court verdict on July 19 in 2020.