Dhaka, May 27 -- Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has described the 1971 war crimes verdicts as a "deliberate purge" of the party's leadership.

He made the remarks at an emergency media briefing on Tuesday after the Supreme Court acquitted party leader ATM Azharul Islam of war crimes, overturning his death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal.

"This verdict has made it clear that there was a deliberate attempt to wipe out [the party] leadership," Shafiqur said.

"A responsible leader isn't born every day or in every household. It's a blessing from Allah. Making a country and a political party leaderless is like pushing them into darkness."

The Jamaat chief continued, "This verdict proves that you can't conceal the truth. ...