Dhaka reacts sharply to Ankara's statement

Expressing dismay over Ankara's reaction to the execution of war criminal Mir Quasem Ali, Dhaka yesterday said that such reactions were tantamount to interference in the matters of a sovereign state.

“This also does not help foster bilateral relations that exist between the two brotherly countries,” according to a note verbale issued by the foreign ministry here.

The note verbale was sent to the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka following a press release published in the website of Turkey's foreign ministry on Sunday, in which Turkey expressed sorrow at the execution of Mir Quasem, a convict of crimes against humanity and genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

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The foreign ministry in Dhaka said that through the trial of war criminals, the long cherished aspiration of the nation would be fulfilled, justice ensured, the rule of law upheld and opportunities for true reconciliation created.

The note elaborated on the crimes perpetrated by Mir Quasem, one of the central commanders of the infamous Al Badr militia force in 1971. He had been involved in planning, instigating and executing genocide, murder, abduction and torture of people in Chittagong during the war.

The capital punishment had been handed down on Quasem following an independent, fair and transparent judicial process, which national and international media had full access to and didn't face any political interference, the foreign ministry said in the note.

The prosecution had produced irrefutable oral and documentary evidence proving charges brought against Quasem beyond any reasonable doubt, it said, adding that the defence lawyers had been given unimpeded access to the court proceedings throughout the trial.

Mir Quasem was punished for the crimes he had committed during the war, not for his political identity or affiliation, the foreign ministry said. 

Turkey in the press release said, “We have learnt with sorrow that the death sentence issued by the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh against Mir Quasem Ali, key-financier and central executive council member of the Jamaat-e-Islami, has been executed in Bangladesh.

“We stress once again that the wounds of the past cannot be healed with these methods and hope that this wrong practice will not lead to separation among the brotherly people of Bangladesh.“

It may be mentioned that Turkey reacted with anger after the execution of Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami who was hanged for mass murder, rape and massacre of Bangalee intellectuals in 1971.

A statement by the Turkish foreign ministry on May 11 said, “It did not believe that Nizami deserved such a punishment.”

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned his punishment, saying “such proliferation of hatred” went against “democratic mentality”, according to the local media.