The 73-year-old leader of the Islamic party, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, was arrested over charges of committing crimes against humanity during the War.
Dhaka:Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader, overturning his death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a war crimes case related to the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.
ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted by the Appellate Division of the top court.
"The full seven-member bench chaired by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the verdict, ordering acquittal of Mr ATM Azharul Islam," a state counsel said.
He said the court also directed the prison authorities to release Islam from jail immediately if he was not arrested in other cases.
There was no higher court in Bangladesh or any international forum to reverse the top court verdict, the counsel added.
According to state and defence counsels, the top court observed that the death sentence was handed down without any proper assessment of evidence, leading to an "unjust verdict".
The 73-year-old leader of the Islamic party, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, was arrested over charges of committing crimes against humanity during the War.
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