Dhaka: Leaders of opposition BNP, its allies and other like-minded parties expressed mixed reaction over the verdict against former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar.

BNP Standing Committee member Lt Gen (Rtd) Mahbubur Rahman welcomed the maiden verdict against the war crimes accused for his involvement in killing, abduction, rape, looting and arson attack.

Talking to journalists on Monday, he said, “I welcome the capital punishment against war criminals Bachchu Razakar for his involvement in crimes against humanity in the Liberation War in 1971,” he said.

He also said, “All the countrymen should welcome the verdict.”

Another BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain declined to make any comment on the verdict.

 “I have insufficient knowledge in law. So I will make no comment in this regard,” he added.

Though he refrained from giving any formal reaction to the International Crimes Tribunal’s first judgment, BNP spokesman Tariqul Islam on Monday said the government should ensure that the trial is not held to implement any party agenda.

"BNP is a pro-liberation political party. So we want holding of the war crimes trial. But the trial will have to be held in a transparent manner, so that none should be victimised due to politics of vengeance," he said.

 “The trial of war criminals or crime against humanity being held after 40 years should not be questionable and it must not be held to implement the agenda of any party,” he told a discussion.

BNP Joint Secretary-General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi just said party’s senior leaders would give an official reaction later.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters, Rizvi said, “Our position is clear on the matter of war crimes trial. We have said before and saying again – these trials must meet international standards. Those who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity must be tried fairly.”

Asked for his reaction to the death sentence to Bachchu Razakar, he said, “I won’t say anything on this matter. Party’s senior leaders may give reaction later.”

LDP chief Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed said war criminals should be punished irrespective of their political affiliation and standing in society.

“Trial of all war criminals should be completed,” he added.

The Jamaat-e-Islami is a key ally of the BNP and a constituent of the opposition’s 18-Party Alliance.

Senior BNP leader Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia also declined to comment on the issue before knowing the party’s decision.

The Standing Committee member said, “Look, the verdict has been delivered. I don’t know my party’s position over the issue. The party also did not ask me to comment. Please come after I became aware of the party’s position.”

He also refused to give any reaction when bdnews24.com approached him to comment as a senior lawyer at the High Court.

However, when contacted for a feedback on the matter, former Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarker said, “The trial took place in absentia. Does this have any value? This is no issue to talk about.”

On Monday, International Crimes Tribunal-2 awarded Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu Razakar with capital punishment for his involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the War of Liberation in 1971.

Ends/AMA/21/01/13