JI leader jailed for 90 years for war crimes

DHAKA: A special Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced a Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Azam to 90 years in prison for masterminding atrocities during the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Ghulam Azam, 90, the wartime head of the largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and now its spiritual leader, was found guilty of all five charges by the controversial International Crimes Tribunal.

"He has been sentenced to 90 years in prison or until his death for the charges," prosecutor Sultan Mahmud told.

The sentence came amid violent clashes in cities across Bangladesh between his supporters and police.