Bangladesh Apex Court Acquits ‘Butcher of Rangpur’ ATM Azharul Islam

Break10 Web Desk: In a landmark and controversial decision, the Bangladesh Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of ATM Azharul Islam, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, who had been on death row since 2014 for war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

Azharul Islam, often called the ‘Butcher of Rangpur’ was initially convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in December 2014 on multiple charges, including genocide, murder, rape, and abduction. The tribunal found him guilty of orchestrating the massacre of over 1,200 people in Rangpur, leading the Al-Badr militia.

The Supreme Court, in October 2019, upheld his death sentence. Following a review petition filed in 2020, the appellate division agreed in February 2025 to hear the case again, marking the first instance of such a review for a war criminal in Bangladesh.

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The defence argued that the original trial was flawed and did not adhere to international legal standards, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the ICT’s proceedings. The Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Azharul Islam brings an end to a protracted legal battle spanning over a decade.

The verdict has elicited mixed reactions across the country. While supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami viewed the acquittal as a long-overdue correction of a miscarriage of justice, families of victims and human rights activists expressed deep disappointment, fearing it may undermine efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for wartime atrocities.

This development marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to address crimes committed during its war of independence.