DHAKA, May 27, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir today welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court Appellate Division which acquitted former acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam from all war crimes charges.  
 
The court acquitted ATM Azharul Islam, also the founding president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir's Dhaka University unit, overturning the death sentence previously handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1).
 
Following the verdict, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir expressed satisfaction, calling the ruling a reflection of justice.
 
In a joint statement issued today, Chhatra Shibir’s central president Zahidul Islam and secretary general Nurul Islam Saddam welcomed the acquittal.
 
"The charges, trial and previous verdict against ATM Azharul Islam have been proven to be a grave miscarriage of justice," the statement said.

The leaders also alleged that the judicial process had been manipulated for political purposes, stating, "The Awami League, backed by Delhi, has long used the justice system as a tool for political vengeance".
 
Today's verdict has exposed that tendency to the nation, they added.

The apex court today acquitted Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam of the charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, allowing his appeal against the earlier judgment that upheld Azhar's conviction and death sentence initially handed down by the ICT-1.
 
The Appellate Division full bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, pronounced the judgment this morning.
 
The apex court unanimously allowed Azhar's plea, acquitting him of the charges framed by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1, for which he had been sentenced to death.
 
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) also directed the jail authorities to release ATM Azharul Islam immediately if he is not arrested in any other case.