Dhaka, Feb. 21 -- Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has declared his intention to voluntarily surrender to the authorities on February 25, demanding the release of the party's imprisoned leader ATM Azharul Islam. Azharul, who was convicted of crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, remains behind bars despite repeated demands from Jamaat for his release.

Shafiqur Rahman made the announcement on Thursday at 5:00 PM through a post on his verified Facebook page. In his statement, he described Azharul as an "oppressed people's leader" who has been subjected to what he called "the brutal repression of fascism."

"While all other national leaders have been released one by one, he continues to suffer under an unjust and disc...