Bangladesh Jama’at-e-Islami has announced a two-day countrywide rallies on September 25-26 to press for release of its top leaders arrested in several cases including the war crimes.

Jama’at acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam announced the programmes at a press conference in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.

The rallies and meetings will be held in city, district and upazila headquarters demanding immediate and unconditional release of all its leaders and activists including Jama’at Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, Nayeb-e-Ameer Delwar Hossain Sayedee and assistant secretaries general M Qamaruzzaman and Abdul Quader Mollah.

Mr Azhar strongly denied Jama’at’s involvement in crimes against humanity committed during the liberation war in 1971.

“As per the appeal of International Crimes Tribunal prosecution, four top leaders of Jama’at were arrested on July 25 on allegation of their involvement in war crimes during the liberation war, which was immoral and unlawful. This allegation is not true,” he asserted.

Referring to the Section 11(5) of International Crimes Tribunal Act 1973 (amended), the Jama’at leader said the tribunal cannot issue warrant of arrest without framing charges against them.

“The Jama’at leaders were arrested intentionally and detained in jail to politically harass them,” Mr Azhar alleged.

He further alleged that the government is going to stage a drama in the name of so-called trial of war criminals or crimes against humanity to keep Jama’at away from politics.

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