Bangladesh executed another Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader, wealthy tycoon and top financial backer of its largest Islamic party on Saturday.
Law and Justice Minister of Bangladesh, Anisul Huq said that JI key leader, Mir Qasim Ali was hanged at a high security prison outside the capital Dhaka after he was convicted of offences committed during the 1971 war.
Qasim Ali was awarded death penalty after being convicted by a controversial war crimes tribunal for offences committed during the 1971 war.
After the Supreme Court rejected his final appeal against the penalty on Tuesday, Ali declined to seek a presidential pardon, which would require an admission of guilt, paving the way for his execution.
Two other police officials speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that the execution would occur between 10:00 pm Bangladesh time (1600 GMT) and midnight.
Ali was reportedly a key commander of the militia in the southern port city of Chittagong during the 1971 war, and later became a shipping and real estate tycoon.
A senior Gazipur police official, Russel Sheikh said that officials have taken “highest security measures” ahead of the planned execution for fear of violence by his supporters.
“More than 1,000 police have been deployed in the district,” said Russel Sheikh.
Past convictions and executions of high-profile JI leaders have triggered violence in Bangladesh, which is polarised along political lines.
“All along he said he was innocent. He said he is being killed unjustifiably,” said Tahera Tasnim, one of Ali’s daughters after 23 members of his family went to meet him in the jail.
Read more: Bangladesh Jamaat leader loses final appeal against execution for war crimes
