War criminal Mahidur challenges his jail sentence

Convicted war criminal Mahidur Rahman has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging a tribunal verdict that had sentenced him to jail till death. Star file photo.

Convicted war criminal Mahidur Rahman has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court challenging a tribunal verdict that had sentenced him to jail till death.

Mahidur submitted the appeal through his lawyer Tuesday afternoon seeking acquittal of the two charges in which he was found guilty.

Abdus Sattar Palowan, a counsel for Mahidur, told The Daily Star that his client has filed a 60-page appeal and also attached 440 pages of document on which the apex court may consider his acquittal.  

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on May 22 in a single verdict sentenced Mahidur and Afsar Hossain Chutu to jail until death for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War.

Chutu is yet to file an appeal against the jail sentenced awarded to him. 

Mahidur, 84, son of late Subedar Ali Biswas of Dadanchak in Shibganj, was involved in the politics of Muslim League prior to 1971 and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar force during the war.

Afsar, 65, son of late Kutub Uddin Morol of Satrosia of Shibganj, had also been an active worker of Muslim League and joined the Peace Committee and Razakar force.