The verdict awarded to Abdul Alim for crimes against humanity during 1971 is questionable, says BNP policymaker Mirza Abbas.
His party is yet to provide a reaction to the judgment but the Standing Committee member expressed his personal view of the verdict on the former BNP minister.
“We have always said that BNP is for the trial of war criminals. But it has to be transparent, neutral and of international standards,” said Abbas to a reporter at a discussion at the Institution of Diploma Engineers on Wednesday.
“But the verdicts they are giving are all questionable. People are raising various questions about them,” claimed Abbas.
Alim was a minister during BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s regime and elected MP three times on BNP’s ticket, last from Joypurhat in 2001.
The International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday sentenced to life imprisonment considering his age and disability. This is the eighth verdict from the tribunals set up to try crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Mirza Abbas said, “The ruling (Awami League) is trying (suspected) war criminals from other parties, not the ones that are in it. The trial taking place now is not correct. The BNP will ensure fair trials of international standards when it goes to power.”
The main opposition broke its tradition of keeping silent over verdicts awarded to war criminals when its standing committee member and sitting MP Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
The BNP claimed the government was trying to eliminate its political rivals through the trials.
Source: Bd news24