US voices concerns over Nizami’s execution, protests in Turkey

Anatolia Youth Association (AGD) members in Istanbul's Saraçhane park. Photo: Anadolu Agency
Anatolia Youth Association (AGD) members in Istanbul's Saraçhane park. Photo: Anadolu Agency

The United State has voiced concerns over execution of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami while protests were staged in Turkey, reports Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

The US State Department said Tuesday that despite improvements to the tribunal process that has tried those accused of committing war crimes during the war, more work needs to be done to "ensure these proceedings meet domestic and international obligations,” according to the news agency.

"Until these obligations can be consistently met, we have concerns about proceeding with executions," spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.

"We support bringing to justice those who committed crimes during the war of independence, but we also have remaining concerns about proceeding with executions under these conditions which we will raise with the government of Bangladesh," she added.

Meanwhile, the agency adds: Matiur Rahman Nizami's execution was protested in front of the Bangladeshi embassy in Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday.

A group of people connected to several Turkish NGOs including Turkey's IHH humanitarian relief foundation, protested at the Nizami's execution.

A Turkish youth foundation, Anatolia Youth Association's (AGD) Ankara head, Hasan Karaman said that the death sentence had been unlawful.

Meanwhile a group of AGD Istanbul branch members held protests in a park in Istanbul as well.

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