A former Bangladeshi government minister has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, rape and genocide committed during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
Syed Mohammad Qaisar was found guilty of leading an armed group, which alongside Pakistani troops, killed 150 people in 22 villages during the conflict.
Prosecutor Rana Das Gupta said “the accused has been proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt”. The 73 year old was sentenced to death by hanging.
The Jatiya Party, part of Bangladesh's ruling coalition and the party Qaisar was with during his time in government, has rejected the charges and said they will appeal the sentence.
Qaisar is the 15th person to be convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal, established in 2009 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Syed Mohammad Qaisar was found guilty of leading an armed group, which alongside Pakistani troops, killed 150 people in 22 villages during the conflict.
Prosecutor Rana Das Gupta said “the accused has been proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt”. The 73 year old was sentenced to death by hanging.
The Jatiya Party, part of Bangladesh's ruling coalition and the party Qaisar was with during his time in government, has rejected the charges and said they will appeal the sentence.
Qaisar is the 15th person to be convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal, established in 2009 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.