Sayedee appeal hearing ends

The Appellate Division has ended the hearing on Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee's appeal against his death sentence meted out by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Muzammel Hossain, ended hearing of both the prosecution and defence on Tuesday and said an order will be given on Wednesday. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was present in the hearing. He was assisted by Additional Attorney General MK Rahman. Khandker Mahbub Hossain and SM Shahjahan argued for the defence. The court said during the hearing, “How much time should we give you? The hearing is going on for days and months. You are now repeating it.”

”This is not Appellate Tribunal, this is Appellate Division. Here we don’t conduct hearings of the Tribunal only,” it said. On Feb 28 last year, the ICT-1 had ordered Sayedee’s execution for his involvement in crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s independence struggles in 1971. Of the 20 charges against him, Sayedee was given the death penalty for two – the murder of Ibrahim Kutti and Bisabali, and for setting fire to Hindu households in Pirojpur district in 1971. Six other charges were also proven beyond doubt but no sentencing followed as he had already been given the death penalty. Sayedee had, on Mar 28 last year, appealed against the death sentence, seeking acquittal. The prosecution has appealed for punishment for the six other proven charges for the sake of ‘full justice’. The hearing of Sayedee’s appeal began on Sep 24, according to bdnews24.com.