The first death row convict of 1971's crimes against humanity case Maulana Abul Kalam Azad @ Bacchu Rajakar was surrendered before the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday morning.
After his surrender, prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the matter to media.

It is learned that, last year, Abul Kalam appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking suspension of his sentence. He made the application under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

On January 21, 2013, Justice Obaidul Hassan, Chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2, delivered the verdict sentencing him to death.

Allegation of killing at least 14 persons, rape, kidnap, arson attack, looting have been brought against Azad and those were proved.

Out of eight charges, seven have been proved against Azad. Although there was scope to award the death penalty on three charges and imprisonment on four others, the tribunal did not pass sentences on those charges because the death penalty had already been imposed. Another charge was dismissed as the prosecution failed to prove it.

Sun News/ra