The Appellate Division on Thursday acquitted Khan Akram Hossain of Bagerhat, overturning his life sentence in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury delivered the verdict after hearing Akram’s appeal.
Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam represented the state during the proceedings.
On August 11, 2015, the International Crimes Tribunal‑1 sentenced Sheikh Sirajul Haque, widely known as Siraj Master, to death in the same case, while Akram was handed life imprisonment.
According to the tribunal’s judgment, three individuals were accused.
Of the six charges against Sirajul Haque and three against Akram, five were proven. Siraj was sentenced to death on those five charges, with the tribunal ordering execution either by firing squad or hanging. Akram was convicted on one proven charge and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Another accused, Abdul Latif Talukder, died during the trial and was subsequently dropped from the case.
Following his conviction, Akram appealed to the Appellate Division challenging the life sentence.
On February 25, the court scheduled Thursday for delivering its verdict, which ultimately acquitted him.
