Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, issued a statement on February 16, demanding the immediate release of Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam, a victim of the severe oppression.

In the statement, he said that the fascist Awami League government, in an effort to eliminate Jamaat's leadership, filed false, fabricated, and conspiratorial cases against Jamaat leaders in the International Crimes Tribunal. Using party-affiliated individuals as false witnesses, they declared death sentences and executed five top leaders, including the then Ameer and Secretary General of Jamaat. Furthermore, six senior leaders, including a former Ameer and three Nayeb-e-Ameer, were imprisoned under the guise of a trial. While in custody, they passed away. The then Acting Secretary General, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam, became another victim of the Awami government's conspiracies and repression.

He further stated that on September 19, 2011, while returning home from the Jamaat party office, ATM Azharul Islam was arrested by the Awami League government. During his remand, he was subjected to severe physical and mental torture, causing him to become critically ill. He was not provided with even the most basic medical care. In 2012, following a directive from the High Court, he was granted bail, but even while staying at his home, police kept his house surrounded. CCTV cameras were installed around his residence, and family members, relatives, and party colleagues were prevented from meeting him. Later, the Awami government re-arrested him from his home by filing false charges against him in the International Crimes Tribunal.

Jamaat Ameer stated that the Awami League government used party-affiliated individuals to provide false and fabricated testimonies against him. One witness claimed to have seen an incident from 7 kilometers away, while another claimed to have seen it from 3 kilometers away, making their statements unrealistic and absurd. Another witness falsely claimed to be a classmate of Mr. Azharul Islam.

However, according to official documents presented in court, ATM Azharul Islam left Carmichael College in 1968, whereas the so-called witness was admitted to the same college in 1970. Therefore, his claim of being a classmate was entirely false. Based on such fabricated testimonies, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam was sentenced to death.

ATM Azharul Islam, seeking justice, filed an appeal against the tribunal’s verdict in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Among the four judges, three upheld the tribunal's ruling, while one dissented. Thus, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam was once again denied justice.

Jamaat Ameer further stated that both Bangladesh and the global community are aware that the Awami League government’s primary objective was to execute opposition political leaders through a sham judicial process under the guise of trials, solely to fulfill its political vendetta. Thousands of people fell victim to enforced disappearances, killings, and brutal repression under the fascist Awami regime, while Jamaat leaders were subjected to judicial executions.

He added that, in 2024, amidst a mass uprising by students and the general public, the autocratic Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country. Many political activists, who had been arrested on false charges by the fascist regime were released gradually, and numerous detainees were freed by presidential order. The people of the country had hoped that Mr. ATM Azharul Islam, who had suffered extreme oppression and persecution, would also be freed in a new Bangladesh, liberated from tyranny. However, despite six months and eight days passing since the interim government took power, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam remains behind the bar. Jamaat-e-Islami suffered immense persecution during the autocratic rule, yet even in a post-dictatorship Bangladesh, it continues to face discrimination.

Jamaat Ameer further stated that judicial proceedings during Sheikh Hasina’s fascist rule were widely controversial, questionable, and rejected worldwide. Keeping Mr. ATM Azharul Islam imprisoned despite the end of the dictatorship is nothing but a grave injustice and oppression. The nation is shocked and outraged that he remains behind bars in a fascism-free Bangladesh. The people of the country demand complete liberation from the remnants of tyranny.

In light of this situation, we strongly urge the interim government to immediately release Jamaat-e-Islami's Assistant Secretary General, Mr. ATM Azharul Islam.