Sayedee\\\'s death sentence commuted

FE News Desk | Published: September 18, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The Supreme Court finally commuted Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee's death penalty to life in jail unto death for his crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
Both sides in the case expressed their unhappiness over the appeal verdict-the prosecution for failing to get the capital punishment confirmed by the apex court and the defence for not getting complete acquittal of the convict.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday morning commuted Sayedee's death sentence handed down earlier by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 and jailed him unto death for his crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, flanked by four other members of the five-member Appellate Division bench of the Supreme Court, pronounced the final judgment in the crowded courtroom at 10.06 am.
In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami said they would enforce a two-phase shutdown across the country-from 6:00 am to 6:00 am on Thursday and on Friday and from 6 am on Sunday to 6 am on Monday,
The party will also hold 'doa' programme on Friday and stage demonstration on Saturday as part of their protest against the verdict and demanding review of Sayedee's punishment in the war crimes case.
But the state side conceded that it's for all to honour the judgment of the highest court.
The defence counsel and Sayedee's family said they would go for filing a review petition against the Appellate Division verdict.           
"We're not satisfied…we didn't get justice," Sayedee's third son, Masood Sayedee, told the media just after the crucial verdict was pronounced by a five-member bench of the AD, headed by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain.
"Although the death sentence has been reduced, I still think we deserve a better deal. This was not justice." He alleged that the trial proceedings had seen some controversies. "We will certainly file a review petition after we get the full verdict," said Masood.
Attorney-General Mahbubey Alam, however, said the verdict is final and there is no scope for filing review petition against the appellate court verdict as per the International Crimes Tribunal law.       
For example, he mentioned that a review petition was filed in the case of another top Jamaat leader, Abdul Quader Mollah, but that was rejected. And he was hanged for his wartime crimes.