What about the criticism in Western circles that the international tribunal that tried the 1971 war criminals and sentenced to death Jamaat leaders, lacked legitimacy?
"That is not correct. The criticism has been that some of the tribunal processes do not meet international standards, which western countries themselves have changed over the years. Not once have they said that the trials are not legitimate and these people are not guilty.
"It is basic jurisprudence that you cannot apply recent law to a past crime. As you point out, they oppose the death penalty but many western countries used the death penalty until very recently and the US still does, so that argument is not valid," he said.
Wazed criticised Begum Khaleda Zia's politically rising son Tariqur Rahman, saying that his statement against the 1972 (secular) constitution "demonstrates his lack of belief in constitutional processes and elected democracy. It also demonstrates his and his party's ongoing opposition to the sovereignty of Bangladesh itself. This is supremely unpatriotic and treasonous".
He went on to say that Rahman has "several cases against him in various stages of the legal process, including for murder and terrorism for his involvement in the grenade attack on my mother on Aug 21, 2004. His first trial ended recently with him being acquitted for corruption but his accomplice was convicted.
"We have appealed his acquittal and it will go through the legal process. He will be tried for all remaining charges as well."
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