Law ministry opines against presidential mercy

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The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sunday expressed its opinion that though the President had the prerogative to grant mercy, it would not be judicious to pardon the condemned convicts of the Bangabandhu Murder Case, reports UNB.
Three of the condemned former army officers - Muhiuddin Ahmed, AKM Mohiuddin and Bazlul Huda - sought mercy from the President through the jail authority Saturday.
Article 49 of the Constitution says the President shall have power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.
In its opinion the law ministry said, "The assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and members of his family is an unprecedented massacre in the history. To create an illustration, punishment of such heinous killings should be executed."
In the mercy petition one convict was learnt to have said he was not involved in the killings. He was assigned to preserve the dead body of Bangabandhu. Another victim said he was a diabetic patient and another said he wanted to die a natural death.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed signed the crucial opinion file at about 5:30pm, official sources told the news agency.
Another news adds: Mercy petitions of three of the five condemned murderers of Bangabandhu were handed over to the home ministry Sunday for forwarding those to the President for clemency.