Terrorist Azharul Islam Freed: Yunus Govt Faces Backlash Over 1971 Atrocities Case

International News: The Bangladesh Supreme Court acquitted ATM Azharul Islam, a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader previously sentenced to death for his role in the 1971 Liberation War atrocities, including the murder of 1,256 civilians and the rape of 13 women in Rangpur. The decision, delivered by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, has sparked widespread outrage, with critics accusing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of undermining justice for war victims. The acquittal, seen as part of a broader trend of leniency toward Islamist figures, has exposed vulnerabilities in the Yunus administration’s commitment to accountability, fueling protests and international condemnation.

Background of Azharul Islam’s Crimes

ATM Azharul Islam, aged 73, was a commander of the Al-Badr militia during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, collaborating with the Pakistan Army to suppress the independence movement. Arrested in 2012, he was convicted in 2014 by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for orchestrating the Jharuarbeel massacre, where 1,256 civilians were killed, 17 abducted, and 13 women raped. However, following a review petition accepted in February 2025, the reconstituted Supreme Court under Yunus’s interim government overturned the conviction, citing insufficient evidence evaluation. Islam was ordered released immediately if no other cases were pending, a move that has reignited painful memories of the war’s atrocities, particularly for Bangladesh’s Hindu community, which faced targeted violence.

Yunus Government’s Controversial Stance

The acquittal has drawn sharp criticism, with many pointing to the Yunus administration’s actions as evidence of appeasing Islamist groups. After ousting Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League in August 2024, the interim government lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, raising concerns about rising extremist influence. Posts on X and local media report protests at Dhaka and Rajshahi Universities, with students condemning the verdict as a betrayal of the Liberation War’s sacrifices. Sheikh Hasina, now in exile, accused Yunus of legitimizing “jihadist terror.” The government’s law adviser, Asif Nazrul, controversially welcomed the acquittal, linking it to the student-led movement that toppled Hasina, further inflaming tensions. Critics, including Bangladesh’s former ambassador to Morocco, argue that Yunus’s policies are eroding the nation’s secular fabric, with vigilante groups like Tawhidi Janata reportedly attacking minorities under the guise of defending Islam.

Broader Implications and Public Outrage

The release of Azharul Islam has profound implications for Bangladesh’s pursuit of justice for the 1971 war crimes. The ICT, established under Hasina to prosecute collaborators, had convicted six other Jamaat leaders, five of whom were executed. Islam’s acquittal, the first via a review petition post-Hasina, is seen as a setback for accountability.. Internationally, rights groups and Indian observers have condemned the verdict, fearing it may embolden other war criminals. The Yunus government’s decision to revise history textbooks and downplay Hindu persecution has further fueled accusations of bias.