Bangladesh war crimes tribunal condemns Islamist leader to death

Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal sentenced the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh to death on Wednesday for his involvement in crimes against humanity, including genocide, torture and rape, during the country's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.

"Considering the gravity of the crimes, the tribunal punished him with the death sentence," state prosecutor Mohammad Ali told reporters.

The sentence passed on Motiur Rahman Nizami, a 71-year-old former legislator and minister, could provoke protests by supporters of his Islamist party who say the government has used the tribunal to weaken its political opponents.