Bangladesh Islamist leader sentenced to death for war crimes

02/11/2014 - 7:13

DHAKA (Reuters) - A Bangladesh war crimes court on Sunday convicted an Islamist party leader of atrocities during the country's war of independence from Pakistan more than four decades ago and sentenced him to death.

Mir Quasem Ali, 62, an executive member of the Jamaat-e-Islami party and considered a main party financier, was found guilty on charges of killing, torture and abduction during the war to break away from Pakistan in 1971, lawyers said.

Such convictions have in the past led to violent protests by party supporters.

The verdict came days after the party chief and a former minister, Motiur Rahman Nizami, was also sentenced to death on similar charges, which sparked some violence by party activists.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Robert Birsel)