Execution of Kamaruzzaman only a matter of time: AG:Daily Sun

Muhammad Kamaruzzaman Execution of Jamaat leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman is subject to the government decision and just a matter of time, said Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. The top law officer was addressing a press briefing at his office on Thursday. “It may be 7 days, 3 days or one month subject to publication of the Supreme Court verdict.” As per section 20 (3) of the International Crimes (Trib
unals) Act 1973, it is the authority of the government to execute the death sentence. “Many people said complete verdict is needed for execution. I say short order is enough. The matter depends on the SC.” He said SC order will be sent to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The latter will issue death warrant. It can be held on the basis of short order of the apex court. Drawing analogy between death sentence of Kader Mollah and Kamaruzzaman, he said “Mollah was awarded death sentence by the SC, not by the ICT. So, complete verdict was needed for him. It is not the case with Kamaruzzaman. The SC just upheld his death sentence earlier awarded by the tribunal. So, a short order is enough to execute it.” On the other hand, defence counsels went inside the Dhaka Central jail to meet Kamaruzzaman yesterday. After coming out, they said their client decided to file review petition within 30 days after getting the copy of the SC verdict. If the SC rejects the review petition, he will consider seeking the Presidential clemency. Those who entered the jail are Matiur Rahman, Shisir Monir, SM Siddik and Mashiul Alam. Meanwhile, the jail authorities have taken necessary preparations to execute the verdict. They completed the mock hanging drill few days back. Manila rope which is used in the gallows has been kept ready. It is learnt that relatives of Kamaruzzaman are taking some advance preparation to bury him after his execution. His elder brother told reporters that Kamaruzzaman may be buried beside the mosque of a madrassa constructed by him. Earlier, on May 9, 2013, the ICT sentenced Kamaruzzaman to death. Later, he filed appeal with the SC against ICT verdict. On Monday, the SC upheld his death sentence. On November 3 this year, the Supreme Court upheld death sentence of anti-liberation party Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman for killing most of the male persons of a village during the Liberation War in 1971. In the early morning of July 25, 1971, Kamaruzzaman advised members of Al-Badr and Razakar [another auxiliary force] to commit a large- scale massacre, in association with Pakistani troops, in Sohagpur village of Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur. He along with Pakistani forces murdered 164 unarmed civilians, 44 of whom are named, and raped women. As a result, the village was named a “widow village.” Many widows adduced their evidence with tearful eyes against him in the tribunal. Kamaruzzaman is the second war crimes accused in the line of execution as earlier Jamaat leader Abdul Kader Mollah was hanged for similar offence.