Dhaka: AKM Yusuf, one of the top leaders of the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami who was charged with crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh`s 1971 liberation war against Pakistan, died here on Sunday.
Yusuf, 87, was rushed to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital this morning after he fell ill in his prison cell at Gazipur`s Kashimpur Jail, Dhaka Central Jail Senior Supervisor Farman Ali said.
He died soon after he was admitted to hospital, Ali said.
Yusuf, accused of heading the infamous auxiliary force Razakar Bahini that targeted Hindus and Bengali nationalists during the 1971 liberation war, died of cardiac arrest.
"The Jamaat leader died of cardiac arrest," BSMMU director A M Bhuiyan was quoted as saying by the bdnews24.Com.
Arrested on May 12 last year, Yusuf was indicted by the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on 15 war crimes charges, including killing, genocide and arson. The tribunal had set February 12 for the prosecution to begin argument.
The tribunal was set up in 2010 to investigate abuses committed during the 1971 war.
His defence team had argued that Yusuf should be granted bail immediately because of his old age.
Defence counsel Tajul Islam alleged the jail authorities brought Yusuf to the BSMMU around 10:15 am (local time) but not given proper primary treatment there.
Denying the allegation, BSMMU Director Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Majid Bhuiyan told reporters that Yusuf was whisked off to the hospital in critical condition around 11:00 am and doctors tried their best to save him.
But he died on way to the hospital`s ICU, Bhuiyan said.
Yusuf might have died of cardiac arrest but reason behind his death can only be ascertained after his autopsy, he said.
