The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday, May 27, in the appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam, who had previously been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. The verdict will be announced by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed.

Azharul Islam’s defense lawyer, Shishir Monir, has expressed hope for an acquittal. Initially convicted and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal on December 30, 2014, Azhar filed an appeal on January 28, 2015. The Appellate Division upheld the death sentence on October 31, 2019. A subsequent review petition was filed, leading to a unique decision on February 26 this year—granting a rare opportunity for a fresh appeal hearing at the review stage, marking a first in the war crimes trial process.

ATM Azharul Islam was arrested on August 22, 2012, from his residence in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area and has remained in custody since then.