TDS Desk:

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday set 23 January for holding a hearing on Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam’s petition pleading to review its judgment that upheld his death sentence.

The sentence was originally awarded by International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1) for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in 1971.

A five-member apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed fixed the hearing date Thursday.

Confirming the matter to newsmen, Azhar’s counsel Mohammad Shishir Manir said Barrister Abdur Razzaq will take part in the hearing for the Jamaat leader on 23 January.

The defence on 19 July 2020, filed the 23-page review plea, seeking Azhar’s acquittal on 14 grounds.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on 31 October 2019, pronounced its judgment, upholding death for ATM Azharul Islam. On 25 March 2020, the apex court released the full text of that judgment.

The ICT-1 on 30 December 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 28 January 2015.