Dhaka: Abul Kalam Azad, a fugitive sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, surrendered to the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday. Azad, who had been on the run, finally faced the tribunal years after his conviction.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Azad had applied to the Ministry of Home Affairs last year, seeking a stay of his sentence under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The International Crimes Tribunal-2 had sentenced him to death on January 21, 2013, after finding him guilty on seven out of eight charges related to crimes against humanity. Three of these charges were severe enough to carry the death penalty, while the remaining four did not receive separate punishments as the death sentence took precedence. One charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

The tribunal’s verdict detailed Azad’s involvement in the killing of 14 people, the rape of three women, the abduction of nine individuals, the detention of 10 individuals, arson attacks on five houses, and the looting of 15 homes during the Liberation War. At the time of the trial, Azad was a fugitive and could not be brought before the court.

Law enforcement sources stated that Azad had escaped to Pakistan via India before an arrest warrant could be issued against him. The trial proceedings were concluded on December 26, 2012, after the completion of arguments from both sides, and the verdict was delivered later in his absence.