Muslim groups seek fair trial of Bangladesh 'war criminals'

Observing that the Shahbag protests in Dhaka demanding the death penalty for alleged war criminals was inhuman, Muslim religious and rights groups here urged the Bangladeshi government on Saturday to allow the accused a fair trial.

"The Shahbag protests are inhuman as the protestors have been demanding death penalty. The Bangladesh government should not surrender to the demands but ensure that the accused are given a fair trial," Abdul Aziz of Milli Etihad Parishad told reporters here.
The groups also accused Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crushing the opposition in the name of convicting war criminals.

"Sheikh Hasina has turned into a dictator and is using the war crimes tribunal to crush the opposition. Those who have been convicted belong to the Jamaat-e-Islami which is in the opposition," said All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Raisuddin.

They also claimed that the alleged war criminals were innocent and accused the International War Crimes Tribunal of "convicting innocent people without any evidence".
The tribunal this month awarded death penalty to Delawar Hossain Sayedee, vice president of Jamaat-e-Islami -- the largest Islamist political party in Bangladesh.