A. T. M. Azharul Islam

ATM Azharul Islam
Born	1952 Rangpur District, Bangladesh
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1996–2025
Known for	Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami politician; war crimes trial and acquittal

ATM Azharul Islam is a politician from Bangladesh associated with the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He stood as a candidate for the Rangpur-2 seat in the Jatiya Sangsad during the general elections of 1996, 2001, and 2008, but did not succeed in securing a win.

Islam held the position of Secretary General within his party until 2012, when he was apprehended and charged with war crimes linked to the Bangladesh Liberation War by the International Crimes Tribunal. After being convicted in 2014, his appeal was dismissed by the Appellate Division in 2019. Nevertheless, in 2025, a review by the same Division overturned his conviction, resulting in his acquittal.

Political career

During the 1996 general elections, Islam represented Jamaat-e-Islami as a candidate from Rangpur-2, obtaining 8,273 votes. The seat was won by Hussain Muhammad Ershad of the Jatiya Party, who garnered 66,929 votes. In the 2001 election, Islam again vied for the Rangpur-2 constituency and finished third with 17,788 votes; the victor was Mohammad Ali Sarkar from the Islami Jatiya Oikya Front, who received 91,921 votes. By the 2008 polls, Islam improved to second place with 36,586 votes, while Anisul Islam Mondal of the Jatiya Party secured victory with 166,271 votes.

Following the arrest of several Jamaat leaders in 2010, Islam emphasized that legal actions and peaceful initiatives would persist to secure their release. In January 2011, he announced that Jamaat-e-Islami intended to present 39 mayoral candidates to challenge the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Acting as Secretary General at that time, he spearheaded strikes opposing policies enacted by the Awami League government and coordinated a joint shutdown with BNP protesting constitutional changes aimed at abolishing the caretaker government system.

Islam was implicated in a sedition case connected to statements made by Rezaul Karim, former president of Islami Chhatra Shibir. Additionally, he voiced opposition to accusations from then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alleging Jamaat-e-Islami’s involvement in anti-Indian activities and connections with ISI.

On 20 September 2011, Islam was taken into custody following violent demonstrations by Jamaat supporters protesting restrictions on holding a rally demanding the release of party leaders. The clashes resulted in injuries to approximately 200 individuals, extensive property damage including torched and vandalized vehicles and shops, and caused widespread traffic disruptions in Dhaka. Police filed charges against numerous party activists for assaulting officers during these events.

War crimes trial

Islam faced allegations of leading Al-Badr’s Rangpur branch during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Al-Badr collaborated with Pakistani forces throughout the Bangladesh genocide.

He was arrested on August 22, 2012, in Maghbazar. The International Crimes Tribunal formally charged him with crimes against humanity such as genocide, murder, and abduction. At that time, he served as assistant general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami. His prosecution was handled by Nurjahan Begum Mukta while his defense team included senior lawyers Abdur Razzaq, Mohammad Shishir Manir, and Imran Siddique. Accusations involved participation in the Jharuarbeel massacre—where over 1,200 Hindus were killed—the rape of a pregnant woman at Rangpur Town Hall, and torture inflicted on a Mukti Bahini member and his sibling.

In December 2014, the ICT found Islam guilty of war crimes related to the 1971 conflict and sentenced him to death. Although acquitted of charges involving the killing of ten individuals in Rangpur, he was convicted for rape and torture at an Al-Badr detention center. The tribunal comprised Justice M Enayetur Rahim along with Justices Jahangir Hossain and Anwarul Haque. Following this judgment, Jamaat-e-Islami called for a two-day strike.

Islam’s defense argued that political motives influenced the prosecution; however, his appeals were denied by Bangladesh’s Supreme Court in 2019. The Appellate Division bench was headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain. His lead counsel during appeal proceedings was Khandaker Mahbub Hossain from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Amnesty International expressed concerns regarding trial fairness and procedural issues.

After Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government fell from power, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman demanded Islam’s release and sought reinstatement of the party’s registration. Protests organized by Jamaat in Gazipur District called for his freedom. On May 27, 2025, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division acquitted Islam due to fabricated evidence and insufficient credible proof concerning rape and murder allegations. He was freed from incarceration on May 28, 2025.