Review by Kader Mollah: Upvoted by Stephen J. Rapp

The Dhaka Times Desk US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Stephen J. Rapp has opined that a review should be given in the case of Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Mollah, who was sentenced to death.

He gave this opinion while talking to news media including Dhaka's English daily NewAge yesterday on Sunday. He said, "Although I am concerned about several other aspects of the tribunal's trial process - my biggest concern now is, I think, who should have access to a mullah's review of the death penalty." The standard for capital punishment is very clear. In this case, review should be given. The first decision should not be the last decision in case of death penalty. When someone is sentenced to death in any country in the world under any circumstances, they are given the opportunity to challenge it. Usually this opportunity is given in other courts at other levels. But there is no such opportunity here. I think it is not a transparent process. It is not a transparent process for the victims of crime, not for history and not for this important case. News from online newspaper sources.

A review is required to examine whether the evidence adduced in the case of Kader Mollah is sufficient to warrant the death penalty. Stephen Rapp also said, "I know a section of people in Bangladesh think that the only punishment for Kader Mullah should be the death penalty." Because, they think that if it is any other punishment, they can release him when the next government comes. In my opinion, the way to overcome this fear is to maintain the highest standards of justice. If the judgment is held to the highest standards, any group and people will be bound to respect that judgment - Stephen Rapp opined.

According to the media, Stephen Rapp visited Bangladesh 4 times during the current government. During those visits, he spoke to various parties involved in war crimes trials. He also recommended amendments to the law.

It should be noted that recently the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh sentenced Kader Molla to death. The tribunal sentenced him to life imprisonment. According to Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, there is no opportunity to file a review of Quader Mollah after the judgment of the Appellate Division. Barrister Abduur Razzak, lawyer for the accused, believes that Quader Mullah has a constitutional right to file a review.