Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir spoke to jurnalist the verdict acquitting ATM Azharul Islam. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, May 27, 2025 (BSS) - Following the Supreme Court (SC) judgment acquitting ATM Azharul Islam of charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, the defence today said the verdict marks the end of syndicated injustice. 
 
"With today's judgment, we believe that truth has triumphed and lies have been defeated. We believe, through this judgment, syndicated injustice has come to an end," said defence counsel Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir.
 
The defence counsel further said six top leaders of the Jamaat and the BNP were executed (after being convicted and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal). 
 
"Apart from these, five have died in jail, which amounts to an unprecedented form of torture in world history. ATM Azharul Islam is lucky that he receive justice, as Allah kept him alive. We believe the dignity of Bangladesh's courts has been elevated through the pronouncement of this verdict," he added.
 
Quoting the observations given by the apex court while pronouncing the judgment, Advocate Manir said the previous verdicts in this case changed the criminal justice system of the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, which was the biggest mistake. 
 
"In addition, ATM Azharul Islam was sentenced to death without any assessment of the evidence presented before the court, which was injustice in the name of justice. And all the evidence that was presented before the court, the Appellate Division in the past, failed to properly consider it," he added, quoting the Appellate Division.
 
Advocate Manir spearheaded the legal battle of ATM Azharul Islam at the apex court along with his colleagues Barrister Ehsan A Siddiq and Imran A Siddiq.
 
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.