Press Trust of India
Dhaka, Nov 21: In a last-ditch effort, two top Bangladeshi opposition leaders, set to be executed soon for war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, today sought presidential clemency. Fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury sought presidential clemency amid preparations for their execution, officials said. “The jail authorities informed me that they have sought presidential clemency,” Law Minister Anisul Huq told PTI.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan also confirmed that his ministry received their petitions but did not elaborate further. Officials familiar with the process said the petitions would now be sent to the Bangabhaban Prudential Palace through the law ministry.Officials, on condition of anonymity, said the convicts’ decision came as two magistrates today met them separately in their isolated cells in Dhaka Central Jail to know if they would prefer to seek presidential pardon. The officials declined to divulge the contents of the clemency petitions but legal experts said the convicts must “unconditionally admit” their guilt and “express remorse” for the crimes in their mercy petitions.
