Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Bangladeshi politician}}{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}}
{{Short description|Bangladeshi politician (1949–2015)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image               = Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury press conference 2010.jpg
| image = Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury press conference 2010.jpg
| caption             = Chowdhury at a 2010 press conference
| caption = Chowdhury at a 2010 press conference
| name               = Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury
| name = Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury
| native_name         = সালাউদ্দিন কাদের চৌধুরী
| native_name = {{nobold|সালাউদ্দিন কাদের চৌধুরী}}
| native_name_lang   = bn
| native_name_lang =  
| office             = [[Member of Parliament#Bangladesh|Member of Parliament]]
| office = [[Minister of Health and Family Welfare (Bangladesh)|Minister of Health and Family Welfare]]
| term_start          = 25 January 2009
| president = [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]
| term_end            = 24 January 2014
| primeminister = {{ubl|[[Ataur Rahman Khan]]|[[Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury]]}}
| predecessor        = [[L. K. Siddiqi]]
| successor = [[Mohammed Abdul Matin]]
| successor          = [[Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary]]
| predecessor = [[Mohammed Abdul Matin]]
| constituency        = [[Chittagong-2]]
| term_start = 9 July 1986
| term_start1        = 19 March 1996
| term_end = 23 January 1988
| term_end1          = 27 October 2006
| office1 = [[Ministry of Housing and Public Works|Minister of Housing and Public Works]]
| predecessor1        = [[Md Yousuf]]
| president1 = [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]
| successor1          = [[Moin Uddin Khan Badal]]
| primeminister1 = [[Ataur Rahman Khan]]
| constituency1      = [[Chittagong-7]]
| successor1 = [[K.M. Aminul Islam]]
| term_start2        = 5 March 1991
| predecessor1 = [[Abdul Mannan Siddique]]
| term_end2          = 24 November 1995
| term_start1 = 25 May 1986
| predecessor2        = [[Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu]]
| term_end1 = 9 July 1986
| successor2          = [[Golam Akbar Khandaker]]
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament (Bangladesh)|Member of Parliament]]
| constituency2      = [[Chittagong-6]]
| term_start2 = 25 January 2009
| term_start3        = 1986
| term_end2 = 24 January 2014
| term_end3          = 1988
| predecessor2 = [[L. K. Siddiqi]]
| predecessor3        = [[A. M. Zahiruddin Khan]]
| successor2 = [[Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary]]
| successor3          = [[Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu]]
| constituency2 = [[Chittagong-2]]
| constituency3      = [[Chittagong-6]]
| term_start3 = 19 March 1996
| term_start4        = 1979
| term_end3 = 27 October 2006
| term_end4          = 1986
| predecessor3 = [[Md Yousuf]]
| predecessor4        = [[M. A. Manan]]
| successor3 = [[Moin Uddin Khan Badal]]
| successor4          = [[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]]
| constituency3 = [[Chittagong-7]]
| constituency4      = [[Chittagong-7]]
| term_start4 = 5 March 1991
| alma_mater         = {{unbulleted list|[[Sadiq Public School]]|[[Notre Dame College, Dhaka]]|[[University of Punjab]]}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Bengali against executions of opposition leaders Imran Khan has sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Salah al-Din was evidence of innocence |url=http://www.newstime.jp/news/bengali-against-executions-of-opposition-leaders-imran-khan-has-sent-a-letter-to-the-prime-minister-salah-al-din-was-evidence-of-innocence |work=News Time |date=24 November 2015 |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref>
| term_end4 = 24 November 1995
| occupation         = {{Hlist|Politician|Businessman}}
| predecessor4 = [[Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu]]
| father             = [[Fazlul Quader Chowdhury]]
| successor4 = [[Golam Akbar Khondakar]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2015|11|22|1949|3|13|df=y}}
| constituency4 = [[Chittagong-6]]
| death_place         = [[Old Dhaka Central Jail]], [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
| term_start5 = 7 May 1986
| death_cause         = [[Execution by hanging]]
| term_end5 = 3 March 1988
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1949|3|13|df=y}}
| predecessor5 = [[A. M. Zahiruddin Khan]]
| birth_place         = [[Chittagong]], [[East Bengal]], [[Dominion of Pakistan]]
| successor5 = [[Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu]]
| party               = [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
| constituency5 = [[Chittagong-6]]
| otherparty         =  
| term_start6 = 18 February 1979
| resting_place       = [[Raozan Upazila]], Chittagong
| term_end6 = 7 May 1986
| spouse             = Farhat Quader Chowdhury
| predecessor6 = [[M. A. Manan]]
| children           = {{Hlist|Farzin|Fazlul|Hummam}}
| successor6 = [[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]]
| relatives           = [[List of political families#Bangladesh|The Chowdhury family of Chittagong]]
| constituency6 = [[Chittagong-7]]
| relations           = {{unbulleted list|[[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]] (brother)|[[Salman F Rahman]] (cousin)|[[A.B.M. Fazle Karim Chowdhury|ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury]] (cousin)|[[AKM Fazlul Kabir Chowdhury]] (uncle)}}
| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|[[Sadiq Public School]]|[[Notre Dame College, Dhaka]]|[[University of Punjab]]}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Bengali against executions of opposition leaders Imran Khan has sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Salah al-Din was evidence of innocence |url=https://www.newstime.jp/news/bengali-against-executions-of-opposition-leaders-imran-khan-has-sent-a-letter-to-the-prime-minister-salah-al-din-was-evidence-of-innocence |work=News Time |date=24 November 2015 |access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref>
| nationality         = [[Bangladeshi]]
| occupation = {{Hlist|Politician|Businessman}}
| father = [[A.K.M. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|11|22|1949|3|13|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Old Dhaka Central Jail]], [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]]
| death_cause = [[Execution by hanging]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1949|3|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Chittagong]], [[East Bengal]], [[Dominion of Pakistan]]
| party = [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]]
| otherparty = {{ubl| [[National Democratic Party (Bangladesh)]]|[[Bangladesh Muslim League]]|[[Jatiya Party (Ershad)]]}}
| resting_place = [[Raozan Upazila]], [[Chittagong]]
| height = 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m)
| spouse = Farhat Quader Chowdhury
| children = {{hlist|Fazlul|[[Humam Quader Chowdhury|Humam]]|Farzeen}}
| relatives = [[List of political families#Bangladesh|Chowdhuries of Chittagong]]
| relations = {{unbulleted list|Saifuddin Quader Chowdhury (brother)|[[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]] (brother)|[[Salman F Rahman]] (cousin)}}
| nationality = [[Bangladeshi]]
}}
}}


'''Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury''' (13 March 1949 – 22 November 2015) was a [[Bangladeshi]] politician, minister and six-term member of [[Jatiya Sangsad]] and member of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP) [[Standing Committee]], who served as the adviser of parliamentary affairs to Prime Minister [[Khaleda Zia]] in from 2001 to 2006.<ref name=fe>{{cite news |title=Please spare his life, SQ Chy's family urges President |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?news_id=3466&page=detail_news |newspaper=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=6 July 2007 |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> On {{nowrap|1 October 2022}} he was convicted of 9 of 23 charges and sentenced to death by the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh]] for crimes during the 1971 [[Bangladesh War of Independence]].<ref name=economist/><ref name=bbc>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh MP Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury to hang for war crimes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24344868 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref><ref name=Bartrop>{{cite book |last=Bartrop |first=Paul R. |date=2012 |title=A Biographical Encyclopedia of Contemporary Genocide |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=374 |isbn=978-0313386787}}</ref> He was executed in Dhaka on 22 November 2015.<ref name=economist/>
'''Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury''' ({{langx|bn|সালাউদ্দিন কাদের চৌধুরী}}; (13 March 1949 – 22 November 2015) was a [[Bangladeshi]] politician and minister, a six-term member of the [[Jatiya Sangsad]], and a member of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)]] [[Standing Committee]]. He served as a minister in two ministries under the [[Ershad ministry]], and later served as the Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs to Prime Minister [[Khaleda Zia]] from 2001 to 2006. He was the son of late [[Convention Muslim League]] leader [[A.K.M. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury]].<ref name=fe>{{cite news |title=Please spare his life, SQ Chy's family urges President |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?news_id=3466&page=detail_news |newspaper=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=6 July 2007 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref>  
 
On {{nowrap|1 October 2013}}, he was convicted of 9 of 23 charges and sentenced to death by the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh]] for crimes during the 1971 [[Bangladesh War of Independence]].<ref name=economist/><ref name=bbc>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh MP Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury to hang for war crimes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24344868 |work=BBC News |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013}}</ref><ref name=Bartrop>{{cite book |last=Bartrop |first=Paul R. |date=2012 |title=A Biographical Encyclopedia of Contemporary Genocide |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=374 |isbn=978-0313386787}}</ref>  However, limitations placed on his defense testimony were called "disturbing" by some observers.<ref name="ap" /><ref name="economist" /><ref name="bbc" /><ref name="harvard" /> He was executed by hanging in [[Old Dhaka Central Jail]] on 22 November 2015.<ref name="economist" />


==Early life==
==Early life==
Chowdhury was born on 13 March 1949 in Gahira village.<ref name="bangla.bdnews24.com">{{cite news |script-title=bn:ঔদ্ধত্যের আরেক নাম সাকাচৌ |url=http://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article1003463.bdnews |language=bn |newspaper=bdnews24.com}}</ref> He was from a political family of [[Raozan Upazila]] in erstwhile [[East Pakistan]]. His father, [[Fazlul Quader Chowdhury]], was a Speaker of [[Pakistan National Assembly]] and [[President of Pakistan|Acting President of Pakistan]] from time to time before the independence of Bangladesh.<ref name="august trial" /> He was the eldest among the six siblings.<ref name=maze/> He received his education from the boarding school, [[Sadiq Public School]] at [[Bahawalpur]], Pakistan.<ref name="august trial" />
Chowdhury was born on 13 March 1949 in Gahira village.<ref name="bangla.bdnews24.com">{{cite news |script-title=bn:ঔদ্ধত্যের আরেক নাম সাকাচৌ |url=http://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article1003463.bdnews |language=bn |newspaper=bdnews24.com}}</ref> He was from a political family of [[Raozan Upazila]] in erstwhile [[East Pakistan]]. His father, [[Fazlul Quader Chowdhury]], was a Speaker of [[Pakistan National Assembly]] and [[President of Pakistan|Acting President of Pakistan]] from time to time before the [[independence of Bangladesh]].<ref name="august trial" /> He was the eldest among the six siblings.<ref name=maze/> He received his education from the boarding school, [[Sadiq Public School]] at [[Bahawalpur]], [[Pakistan]].<ref name="august trial" />


==Political career==
==Career==
Chowdhury was a member of the [[Jatiyo Sangshad|Bangladesh Parliament]].<ref name=mp>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/9th_Parliament_MP%20List.pdf |title=9th Parliament MP List |website=Bangladesh Parliament |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806195805/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/9th_Parliament_MP%20List.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2009 |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> He was a member of the standing committee of [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.bnpbangladesh.com/standing-committee-2009-2016/ |title=Standing Committee |website=Bangladesh National Party (BNP) |access-date=2017-02-11}}</ref>
Chowdhury was a member of the [[Jatiyo Sangshad|Bangladesh Parliament]]<ref name="mp">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/9th_Parliament_MP%20List.pdf |title=9th Parliament MP List |website=Bangladesh Parliament |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806195805/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/9th_Parliament_MP%20List.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2009 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> and of the standing committee of [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.bnpbangladesh.com/standing-committee-2009-2016/ |title=Standing Committee |website=Bangladesh National Party (BNP) |access-date=2017-02-11}}</ref>


Chowdhury was a seven-term Member of Parliament, generally representing [[Rangunia Upazila|Rangunia]] and/or [[Boalkhali Upazila]]s, starting with constituency [[Chittagong-7]] in [[1979 Bangladeshi general election|1979]]. He was elected for [[Chittagong-6]] in 1986 and 1991.<ref name=91,96>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy feared Rangunia debacle |url=http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205095&cid=43 |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=5 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030102701/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205095&cid=43 |archive-date=30 October 2012 |access-date=18 September 2022}}</ref> He was elected for Chittagong-7 again in [[June 1996 Bangladeshi general election|1996]],<ref name=91,96 /> and re-elected in [[2001 Bangladeshi general election|2001]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/M_P%20List-300.pdf |title=8th Parliament MP List |website=Bangladesh Parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430051455/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/M_P%20List-300.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> His final term, to which he was elected in [[2008 Bangladeshi general election|2008]], was for [[Chittagong-2]].<ref name=mp />
Chowdhury was a seven-term Member of Parliament, generally representing [[Rangunia Upazila|Rangunia]] and/or [[Boalkhali Upazila]]s, starting with constituency [[Chittagong-7]] in [[1979 Bangladeshi general election|1979]]. He was elected for [[Chittagong-6]] in 1986 and 1991.<ref name=91,96>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy feared Rangunia debacle |url=http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205095&cid=43 |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=5 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030102701/http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205095&cid=43 |archive-date=30 October 2012 |access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref> He was elected for Chittagong-7 again in [[June 1996 Bangladeshi general election|1996]],<ref name=91,96 /> and re-elected in [[2001 Bangladeshi general election|2001]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/M_P%20List-300.pdf |title=8th Parliament MP List |website=Bangladesh Parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430051455/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/M_P%20List-300.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> He ran a failed campaign to be elected secretary general of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organisation of Islamic Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hannan's Arrest |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/07/01/news.htm |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Star Weekend Magazine}}</ref> Opposition member of parliament, [[Suranjit Sengupta|Shuranjit Sengupta]], demanded the resignation of [[M. Morshed Khan|M Morshed Khan]] over the failed bid and in response Chowdhury said, ''"He should at first be circumcised before commenting on an Islamic organisation like the OIC. If he does that I will support his demand for the foreign minister's resignation,"''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SQ Chowdhury's Rebuttal |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/07/01/news.htm |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Star Weekend Magazine}}</ref> Chowdhury's final term, to which he was elected in [[2008 Bangladeshi general election|2008]], was for [[Chittagong-2]].<ref name="mp" />


==War crimes trial==
==War crimes trial==
Chowdhury was arrested 2011 from his "safe house" in [[Dhanmondi]] and questioned by the special branch of police,<ref>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy being quizzed at this 'safe house' |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/national/48980-sq-chy-at-safe-home.html |newspaper=Independent |location=Dhaka |date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524014404/http://www.theindependentbd.com/national/48980-sq-chy-at-safe-home.html |archive-date=24 May 2012 |access-date=29 August 2011 }}</ref> where he was reportedly tortured.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klasra |first1=Rauf |date=19 December 2010 |title=Bitter past revived: Labelled traitor, an MP reminisces|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/91820/bitter-past-revived-labelled-traitor-an-mp-reminsces/ |newspaper=The Express Tribune |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> The trial for his involvements in the 1971 Bangladesh genocide were due to begin in August 2011.<ref name="august trial">{{cite news |title=SQ Chy's trial to begin in August: Quamrul |url=http://www.bdinn.com/news/sq-chy%E2%80%99s-trial-to-begin-in-august-quamrul/ |newspaper=BD Inn |date=14 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101073003/http://www.bdinn.com/news/sq-chy%E2%80%99s-trial-to-begin-in-august-quamrul/ |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=29 August 2022}}</ref>
Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, who was executed for 1971 war crimes, has expressed hope that he can prove his father's "innocence" and expose what he calls a "judicial killing".
The family of executed BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury will send a legal notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, seeking evidence to support their claim that he was subjected to a ‘judicial killing’ by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
 
Chowdhury was arrested 2011 from his "safe house" in [[Dhanmondi]] and questioned by the special branch of police,<ref>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy being quizzed at this 'safe house' |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/national/48980-sq-chy-at-safe-home.html |newspaper=Independent |location=Dhaka |date=10 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524014404/http://www.theindependentbd.com/national/48980-sq-chy-at-safe-home.html |archive-date=24 May 2012 |access-date=29 August 2011 }}</ref> where he was reportedly tortured.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Klasra |first1=Rauf |date=19 December 2010 |title=Bitter past revived: Labelled traitor, an MP reminisces|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/91820/bitter-past-revived-labelled-traitor-an-mp-reminsces/ |newspaper=The Express Tribune |access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> The trial for his involvement in the 1971 [[Bangladesh genocide]] were due to begin in August 2011.<ref name="august trial">{{cite news |title=SQ Chy's trial to begin in August: Quamrul |url=http://www.bdinn.com/news/sq-chy%E2%80%99s-trial-to-begin-in-august-quamrul/ |newspaper=BD Inn |date=14 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101073003/http://www.bdinn.com/news/sq-chy%E2%80%99s-trial-to-begin-in-august-quamrul/ |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=29 August 2011}}</ref>


===War crime charges===
===War crime charges===
Among the charges submitted against Chowdhury in the International Crimes Tribunal were:<ref name=DT-1>{{cite news |title=Charges against SQ Chy |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/oct/01/charges-against-sq-chy |newspaper=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001064124/http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/oct/01/charges-against-sq-chy |archive-date=1 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=BDN-001>{{cite news |title=The charges against Salauddin Quader |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/10/01/the-charges-against-salauddin-quader |newspaper=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref>
Among the charges submitted against Chowdhury in the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal]] were:<ref name=DT-1>{{cite news |title=Charges against SQ Chy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/science-technology-environment/science/1/our-favorites-from-the-geneva-motor-show |newspaper=[[Dhaka Tribune]] |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001064124/http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/oct/01/charges-against-sq-chy |archive-date=1 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=BDN-001>{{cite news |title=The charges against Salauddin Quader |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/10/01/the-charges-against-salauddin-quader |newspaper=[[bdnews24.com]] |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013}}</ref>
# Abduction of 7 Hindu minority and killing 6 of them on 4–5 April 1971.<ref name="do30Jul2015">{{cite news |title=Justice delayed, but not finally denied |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/30/101936.php |newspaper=The Daily Observer |location=Dhaka |access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
# Abduction of 7 Hindus and killing 6 of them on 4–5 April 1971.<ref name="do30Jul2015">{{cite news |title=Justice delayed, but not finally denied |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/30/101936.php |newspaper=The Daily Observer |location=Dhaka |access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref>
# Accompanying Pakistan army at the time of killing Maddhya Gohira Hindu Parha in Raozan on 13 April 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salauddin |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/11/22/122171.php |newspaper=The Daily Observer |location=Dhaka |access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
# Accompanying [[Pakistan Army|Pakistan army]] at the time of killing Maddhya Gohira Hindu Parha in Raozan on 13 April 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salauddin |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/11/22/122171.php |newspaper=The Daily Observer |location=Dhaka |access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref>
# Killing Kundeshwari Oushadhalaya owner and social worker [[Nutan Chandra Singha]] 13 April 1971. His son testified at the trial.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nutan Chandra's son testifies against SQ Chy |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/war-crimes-trials/2012/06/20/nutan-chandra-s-son-testifies-against-sq-chy |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
# Accompanying Pakistan army in the killing of 32 people, arson, looting and raping.<ref name="do30Jul2015" />
# Complicity in the killing of Satish Chandra Palit on 14 April, burning his house, and the deportation of his family. Satish's son testified in court against Salahuddin Quader.<ref>{{cite news |title=Son testifies on father's killing |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/son-testifies-on-fathers-killing/ |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=27 January 2022}}</ref>
# Combined attack with Pakistan army to Hindu populated Shakhapura village at Boalkhali and killing 76 people.<ref name=BDN-001 />


===Trial===
===Trial===
During Chowdhury's trial the prosecution summoned 41 witnesses to testify while four were called in his defense.<ref name=economist>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Politics and death in Bangladesh: The noose tightens |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21679230-opposition-floundering-sheikh-hasina-has-her-way-noose-tightens?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 |magazine=Economist |date=28 November 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref> Commenting on the trial, the former [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues]], [[Stephen Rapp]], said that it was "disturbing" that limitations were placed on defense testimony.<ref name=ap>{{cite news |last=Pennington |first=Matthew |date=20 November 2015 |title=US criticism grows over Bangladesh war crimes tribunal |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/04991a85b5a54fa9a736d784af34e1d8/us-criticism-grows-over-bangladesh-war-crimes-tribunal |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref> Affidavits stating that Chowdhury was in Pakistan and studying law at the [[University of Punjab]] at the time of the crimes were not considered.<ref name=economist/><ref name="bbc" /> Defense testimony from a former prime minister of Pakistan and a former American ambassador was not allowed by the court.<ref name=harvard>{{cite web |last=Farbstein |first=Susan |date=13 November 2015 |title=Threat of Extrajudicial Executions Looms in Bangladesh |url=http://hrp.law.harvard.edu/criminal-justice/threat-of-extrajudicial-executions-looms-in-bangladesh/ |website=The Human Rights Program |publisher=Harvard Law |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref>
During Chowdhury's trial the prosecution summoned 41 witnesses to testify while four were called in his defense.<ref name=economist>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Politics and death in Bangladesh: The noose tightens |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21679230-opposition-floundering-sheikh-hasina-has-her-way-noose-tightens?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 |magazine=Economist |date=28 November 2015 |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref> Commenting on the trial, the former [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues]], [[Stephen Rapp]], said that it was "disturbing" that limitations were placed on defense testimony.<ref name=ap>{{cite news |last=Pennington |first=Matthew |date=20 November 2015 |title=US criticism grows over Bangladesh war crimes tribunal |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/04991a85b5a54fa9a736d784af34e1d8/us-criticism-grows-over-bangladesh-war-crimes-tribunal |newspaper=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=15 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110104/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/04991a85b5a54fa9a736d784af34e1d8/us-criticism-grows-over-bangladesh-war-crimes-tribunal |url-status=dead }}</ref> Affidavits stating that Chowdhury was in [[West Pakistan|Pakistan]] and studying law at the [[University of Punjab]] at the time of the crimes were not considered.<ref name=economist/><ref name="bbc" /> Defense testimony from a former [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister of Pakistan]] and a former American ambassador was not allowed by the court.<ref name=harvard>{{cite web |last=Farbstein |first=Susan |date=13 November 2015 |title=Threat of Extrajudicial Executions Looms in Bangladesh |url=http://hrp.law.harvard.edu/criminal-justice/threat-of-extrajudicial-executions-looms-in-bangladesh/ |website=The Human Rights Program |publisher=Harvard Law |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref>


===Conviction===
===Conviction===
On 1 October 2013, the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh]] sentenced Chowdhury to death by hanging for nine out of the 23 charges brought against him.<ref name=bbc/> His party BNP argued that the trial is politically motivated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh sentences 7th opposition lawmaker to death |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Bangladesh-sentences-7th-opposition-lawmaker-to-death/articleshow/23348606.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |agency=Reuters |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref> On 18 November 2015, [[Bangladesh Supreme Court]] dismissed the appeal of Chowdhury, upholding the death sentence.<ref>{{cite news |title=SC publishes full verdict on Salauddin, Mojaheed |url=http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/86445/SC-publishes-full-verdict-on-Salauddin-Mojaheed |newspaper=Prothom Alo |access-date = 2015-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Set to Hang Opposition Leaders Within Days |url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-set-to-hang-opposition-leaders-within-days-1245556 |work=NDTV |access-date=2015-11-20}}</ref> According to jail officials, Chowdhury asked for mercy in a petition to the [[President of Bangladesh]], but his appeal was rejected.<ref name="IT1">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh president rejects mercy plea of 2 war criminals |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Bangladesh-president-rejects-mercy-plea-of-2-war-criminals/articleshow/49875037.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date = 2015-11-21}}</ref><ref name="IT2">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh president rejects death-row mercy petitions |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/bangladesh-president-rejects-death-row-mercy-petitions/articleshow/49875033.cms |newspaper=Economic Times |access-date=21 November 2022}}</ref>
On 1 October 2013, the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh]] sentenced Chowdhury to death by hanging for nine out of the 23 charges brought against him.<ref name=bbc/> His party [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party|BNP]] argued that the trial is politically motivated.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh sentences 7th opposition lawmaker to death |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Bangladesh-sentences-7th-opposition-lawmaker-to-death/articleshow/23348606.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |agency=Reuters |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013}}</ref> On 18 November 2015, [[Bangladesh Supreme Court]] dismissed the appeal of Chowdhury, upholding the death sentence.<ref>{{cite news |title=SC publishes full verdict on Salauddin, Mojaheed |url=http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/86445/SC-publishes-full-verdict-on-Salauddin-Mojaheed |newspaper=Prothom Alo |access-date = 2015-11-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Set to Hang Opposition Leaders Within Days |url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-set-to-hang-opposition-leaders-within-days-1245556 |work=NDTV |access-date=2015-11-20}}</ref>


== Execution ==
== Execution ==
On 22 November 2015, at 12:45 in the morning, Chowdhury was executed by hanging at [[Dhaka Central Jail]]. Another convict, [[Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed]], was also executed  around the same time.<ref name=nyt/><ref>{{cite news |last=Habib |first=Haroon |title=Two top Bangladesh war criminals hanged |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/two-top-bangladesh-war-criminals-hanged/article7904194.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=22 November 2015 |issn=0971-751X |access-date=2015-11-21}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite news |script-title=bn:সাকা-মুজাহিদের ফাঁসি কার্যকর |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/690262/%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%25AE%25E0%25A7%2581%25E0%25A6%259C%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B9%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%25B0-%25E0%25A6%25AB%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2581%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BF-%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25AF%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25B0 |newspaper=Prothom Alo |language=bn |access-date=2015-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 November 2015 |title=B'desh on alert after execution of 2 Oppn leaders for war crimes |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/bangladesh-on-high-alert-ahead-of-execution-of-2-opposition-leaders/story-C60moXJqSDKFbe4Sm2YNBI.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=2015-11-21}}</ref> Law Minister [[Anisul Huq (politician)|Anisul Huq]] claimed that Chowdhury and Mojaheed submitted a plea for mercy, which Chowdhury's family denied.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=22 November 2015 |title=Bangladesh Hangs 2 Leaders Convicted of War Crimes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/world/asia/bangladesh-hangs-2-leaders-convicted-of-war-crimes.html?ref=topics&_r=0 |newspaper=New York Times |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref> Chowdhury was buried at his village home in Raozan Upazila, Chittagong on 22 November 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy buried amid tight security |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/politics/sq-chy-buried-amid-tight-security-176257 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=2015-11-22}}</ref>
On 22 November 2015, at 12:45 in the morning, Chowdhury was executed by hanging at [[Dhaka Central Jail]]. Another convict, [[Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed]], was also executed  around the same time.<ref name=nyt/><ref>{{cite news |last=Habib |first=Haroon |title=Two top Bangladesh war criminals hanged |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/two-top-bangladesh-war-criminals-hanged/article7904194.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=22 November 2015 |issn=0971-751X |access-date=2015-11-21}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite news |script-title=bn:সাকা-মুজাহিদের ফাঁসি কার্যকর |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/690262/%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%25AE%25E0%25A7%2581%25E0%25A6%259C%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B9%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%25B0-%25E0%25A6%25AB%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%2581%25E0%25A6%25B8%25E0%25A6%25BF-%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25AF%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25B0 |newspaper=Prothom Alo |language=bn |access-date=2015-11-21 |archive-date=22 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122072720/http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/690262/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 November 2015 |title=B'desh on alert after execution of 2 Oppn leaders for war crimes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/bangladesh-on-high-alert-ahead-of-execution-of-2-opposition-leaders/story-C60moXJqSDKFbe4Sm2YNBI.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=2015-11-21}}</ref> Law Minister [[Anisul Huq (politician)|Anisul Huq]] claimed that Chowdhury and Mojaheed submitted a plea for mercy, which Chowdhury's family denied.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=22 November 2015 |title=Bangladesh Hangs 2 Leaders Convicted of War Crimes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/world/asia/bangladesh-hangs-2-leaders-convicted-of-war-crimes.html?ref=topics&_r=0 |newspaper=New York Times |access-date=15 December 2015 }}</ref> Chowdhury was buried at his village home in [[Raozan Upazila]], [[Chittagong District|Chittagong]] on 22 November 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=SQ Chy buried amid tight security |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/politics/sq-chy-buried-amid-tight-security-176257 |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=2015-11-22}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Chowdhury was married to Farhat Quader Chowdhury.<ref name="wifeson"/> Their children include Farzin, Hummam (b. 1983) and Fazlul.<ref name=maze>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/02/14/d60214011310.htm|title=Feuding SQ Chy family wanders in legal maze|publisher=The Daily Star|date=2006-02-14|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref><ref name="wifeson">{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/hc-asks-sq-chys-wife-son-surrender-1318738 |title=Verdict leak: HC asks SQ Chy's wife, son to surrender to lower cour |date=2016-11-22  |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/bangladesh-sons-convicted-war-criminals-detained-160811134823481.html|title=Bangladesh: Sons of convicted war criminals detained|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref> In August 2016, [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Amnesty International]] alleged that Hummam was arrested on 4 August 2016, and disappeared. Amnesty says multiple credible sources place him at [[Rapid Action Battalion]] (RAB) headquarters in Dhaka on 12 August, but authorities have denied having him in custody.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amnesty, HRW condemn 'detention' of SQ Chy, Mir Quasem's sons |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/amnesty-hrw-condemn-detention-sq-chy-mir-quasems-sons-1269919 |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> Hummam returned home in March 2017.
Chowdhury was married to Farhat Quader Chowdhury.<ref name="wifeson"/> Farhat is the daughter of Alamgir Mohammad Adel (brother of [[Jahangir Mohammad Adel]]) and Laili Chowdhury (daughter of [[Chowdhury Abd-Allah Zaheeruddin|Lal Miah]], zamindar of [[Faridpur District|Faridpur]]). Their children include Farzin, Hummam (b. 1983) and Fazlul.<ref name=maze>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/02/14/d60214011310.htm|title=Feuding SQ Chy family wanders in legal maze|publisher=The Daily Star|date=2006-02-14|access-date=2019-11-19|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614060254/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/02/14/d60214011310.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="wifeson">{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/hc-asks-sq-chys-wife-son-surrender-1318738 |title=Verdict leak: HC asks SQ Chy's wife, son to surrender to lower cour |date=2016-11-22  |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/bangladesh-sons-convicted-war-criminals-detained-160811134823481.html|title=Bangladesh: Sons of convicted war criminals detained|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref> In August 2016, [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Amnesty International]] alleged that Hummam was arrested on 4 August 2016, and disappeared. Amnesty says multiple credible sources place him at [[Rapid Action Battalion]] (RAB) headquarters in [[Dhaka]] on 12 August, but authorities have denied having him in custody.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amnesty, HRW condemn 'detention' of SQ Chy, Mir Quasem's sons |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/amnesty-hrw-condemn-detention-sq-chy-mir-quasems-sons-1269919 |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref> Hummam returned home in March 2017. Hummam is married to the granddaughter of industrialist [[Abul Kashem Khan|A. K. Khan]].
 
Chowdhury's brother, [[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]], was a member of parliament from [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/son-sq-chy-returns-home-after-7-months-1370593|title=Son of SQ Chy returns home after 7 months|date=2017-03-04|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-08-02|language=en}}</ref> Other two brothers were Saifuddin and Jamaluddin.<ref name=maze/> Industrialist brothers [[Salman F Rahman]] and Sohel Rahman were their cousins.<ref name=maze/> On 3 January 2005, he met [[Sheikh Hasina]] and invited her to his son Faiyyaz's wedding.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SQ Chy invites Hasina to son's wedding|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/01/03/d50103011311.htm|access-date=2021-04-08|website=archive.thedailystar.net|publisher=The Daily Star|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614052928/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/01/03/d50103011311.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hasina said that she couldn't attend the wedding due to security concerns after the [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack]]. There were accusations that Salahuddin was involved in the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina, to which Salahuddin replied that had he been behind the attack, the grenade wouldn't have missed Hasina.
 
==Wealth==
The QC family is one of the wealthiest families in [[Bangladesh]]. His wealth was estimated to be around Tk. 1,000 crore. He owned a house in [[Dhaka|Dhaka's]] [[Dhanmondi Thana|Dhanmondi area]] located on Road 10/A. He also owned his family's historic house located on Goods Hill in Rahmatganj ([[Chittagong]]) and three other houses in the Gohira village of [[Raozan Upazila]], where he also owned hundreds of acres of land. Salahuddin and his brothers owned the QC Group based in Chittagong. The QC Group consists of:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.bbarta24.net/special-report/2016/02/18/21258 | title=যুদ্ধাপরাধী সাকা চৌধুরীর যত সম্পত্তি }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://qcgroupbd.com/qc_trading_3_1.html | title=Qc Group Bangladesh }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* QC Shipping Ltd.
* QC Container Line Ltd.
* QC Logistics Ltd.
* QC Navigation Ltd.
* QC Feeders Ltd.
* QC Shipping Pte. Ltd. (domiciled in Singapore)
* Eastern Maritime Ltd.
* QC Trading Ltd.
* QC Petroleum Ltd.
* QC Estate Ltd
* QC Holdings Ltd.
* QC Properties Ltd.
* QC Enterprises Ltd.
* The Dacca Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
* The Dacca Yarn Dyeing Ltd.
* Unitrend Ltd. (Bangladeshi representative of international PR firm McCann Erickson)
* Focus Multimedia Ltd. (holding company of CSB News & Radio Aamar)
{{div col end}}


Chowdhury's brother, [[Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury]], was a member of parliament from Bangladesh Nationalist Party.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/son-sq-chy-returns-home-after-7-months-1370593|title=Son of SQ Chy returns home after 7 months|date=2017-03-04|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-08-02|language=en}}</ref> Other two brothers were Saifuddin and Jamaluddin.<ref name=maze/> Industrialist brothers [[Salman F Rahman]] and Sohel Rahman were their cousins.<ref name=maze/> On 3 January 2005, he met Sheikh Hasina and invited her to his son's, Fazlul, wedding.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SQ Chy invites Hasina to son's wedding|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/01/03/d50103011311.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-08|website=archive.thedailystar.net|publisher=The Daily Star}}</ref>
===Alleged Singapore account===
In 2020, the [[Anti-Corruption Commission (Bangladesh)]] traced multiple accounts to [[Singapore]] which contained a combined 1 billion USD. The money was laundered there by a [[Bangladeshi]] citizen. An ACC official told the [[Daily Sun (Bangladesh)|Daily Sun]] newspaper that the money belonged to Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/520115/ACC-finds-1bn-of-SQ-Chy-in-S%E2%80%99pore | title=ACC finds $1bn of SQ Chy in S'pore | date=November 2020 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
https://tob.news/family-claims-salauddin-quader-chowdhury-was-victim-of-judicial-killing/
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{1971 Bangladesh genocide|state=expanded}}
{{1971 Bangladesh genocide|state=expanded}}
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[[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]]
[[Category:Sadiq Public School alumni]]
[[Category:University of the Punjab alumni]]
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[[Category:21st-century executions by Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi male criminals]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi people convicted of war crimes]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi people convicted of war crimes]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi people convicted of crimes against humanity]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Executed Bangladeshi people]]
[[Category:Executed Bangladeshi people]]
[[Category:Executed mass murderers]]
[[Category:Executed politicians]]
[[Category:Executed politicians]]
[[Category:People executed by Bangladesh by hanging]]
[[Category:People executed for crimes against humanity]]
[[Category:National Democratic Party (Bangladesh) politicians]]
[[Category:National Democratic Party (Bangladesh) politicians]]
[[Category:Notre Dame College, Dhaka alumni]]
[[Category:Notre Dame College, Dhaka alumni]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi male criminals]]
[[Category:People from Raozan]]
[[Category:1971 Bangladesh genocide perpetrators]]
[[Category:Politicians from Chittagong Division]]
[[Category:Executed mass murderers]]
[[Category:Sadiq Public School alumni]]
[[Category:University of the Punjab alumni]]
[[Category:People executed by the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)]]

Latest revision as of 03:51, 19 February 2026


Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury
সালাউদ্দিন কাদের চৌধুরী
File:Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury press conference 2010.jpg
Chowdhury at a 2010 press conference
Minister of Health and Family Welfare
In office
9 July 1986 – 23 January 1988
PresidentHussain Muhammad Ershad
Prime Minister
Preceded byMohammed Abdul Matin
Succeeded byMohammed Abdul Matin
Minister of Housing and Public Works
In office
25 May 1986 – 9 July 1986
PresidentHussain Muhammad Ershad
Prime MinisterAtaur Rahman Khan
Preceded byAbdul Mannan Siddique
Succeeded byK.M. Aminul Islam
Member of Parliament
In office
25 January 2009 – 24 January 2014
Preceded byL. K. Siddiqi
Succeeded bySyed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary
ConstituencyChittagong-2
In office
19 March 1996 – 27 October 2006
Preceded byMd Yousuf
Succeeded byMoin Uddin Khan Badal
ConstituencyChittagong-7
In office
5 March 1991 – 24 November 1995
Preceded byZiauddin Ahmed Bablu
Succeeded byGolam Akbar Khondakar
ConstituencyChittagong-6
In office
7 May 1986 – 3 March 1988
Preceded byA. M. Zahiruddin Khan
Succeeded byZiauddin Ahmed Bablu
ConstituencyChittagong-6
In office
18 February 1979 – 7 May 1986
Preceded byM. A. Manan
Succeeded byGiasuddin Quader Chowdhury
ConstituencyChittagong-7
Personal details
Born(1949-03-13)13 March 1949
Chittagong, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan
Died22 November 2015(2015-11-22) (aged 66)
Old Dhaka Central Jail, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Resting placeRaozan Upazila, Chittagong
NationalityBangladeshi
Political partyBangladesh Nationalist Party
Other political
affiliations
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88m)
Spouse(s)Farhat Quader Chowdhury
Relations
Children
Parent(s)
RelativesChowdhuries of Chittagong
Alma mater[1]
Occupation
  • Politician
  • Businessman

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; (13 March 1949 – 22 November 2015) was a Bangladeshi politician and minister, a six-term member of the Jatiya Sangsad, and a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee. He served as a minister in two ministries under the Ershad ministry, and later served as the Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from 2001 to 2006. He was the son of late Convention Muslim League leader A.K.M. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury.[2]

On 1 October 2013, he was convicted of 9 of 23 charges and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh for crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence.[3][4][5] However, limitations placed on his defense testimony were called "disturbing" by some observers.[6][3][4][7] He was executed by hanging in Old Dhaka Central Jail on 22 November 2015.[3]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Chowdhury was born on 13 March 1949 in Gahira village.[8] He was from a political family of Raozan Upazila in erstwhile East Pakistan. His father, Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, was a Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly and Acting President of Pakistan from time to time before the independence of Bangladesh.[9] He was the eldest among the six siblings.[10] He received his education from the boarding school, Sadiq Public School at Bahawalpur, Pakistan.[9]

Career[edit | edit source]

Chowdhury was a member of the Bangladesh Parliament[11] and of the standing committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).[12]

Chowdhury was a seven-term Member of Parliament, generally representing Rangunia and/or Boalkhali Upazilas, starting with constituency Chittagong-7 in 1979. He was elected for Chittagong-6 in 1986 and 1991.[13] He was elected for Chittagong-7 again in 1996,[13] and re-elected in 2001.[14] He ran a failed campaign to be elected secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Conference.[15] Opposition member of parliament, Shuranjit Sengupta, demanded the resignation of M Morshed Khan over the failed bid and in response Chowdhury said, "He should at first be circumcised before commenting on an Islamic organisation like the OIC. If he does that I will support his demand for the foreign minister's resignation,".[16] Chowdhury's final term, to which he was elected in 2008, was for Chittagong-2.[11]

War crimes trial[edit | edit source]

Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, who was executed for 1971 war crimes, has expressed hope that he can prove his father's "innocence" and expose what he calls a "judicial killing". The family of executed BNP leader Salauddin Quader Chowdhury will send a legal notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, seeking evidence to support their claim that he was subjected to a ‘judicial killing’ by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

Chowdhury was arrested 2011 from his "safe house" in Dhanmondi and questioned by the special branch of police,[17] where he was reportedly tortured.[18] The trial for his involvement in the 1971 Bangladesh genocide were due to begin in August 2011.[9]

War crime charges[edit | edit source]

Among the charges submitted against Chowdhury in the International Crimes Tribunal were:[19][20]

  1. Abduction of 7 Hindus and killing 6 of them on 4–5 April 1971.[21]
  2. Accompanying Pakistan army at the time of killing Maddhya Gohira Hindu Parha in Raozan on 13 April 1971.[22]

Trial[edit | edit source]

During Chowdhury's trial the prosecution summoned 41 witnesses to testify while four were called in his defense.[3] Commenting on the trial, the former United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, Stephen Rapp, said that it was "disturbing" that limitations were placed on defense testimony.[6] Affidavits stating that Chowdhury was in Pakistan and studying law at the University of Punjab at the time of the crimes were not considered.[3][4] Defense testimony from a former prime minister of Pakistan and a former American ambassador was not allowed by the court.[7]

Conviction[edit | edit source]

On 1 October 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh sentenced Chowdhury to death by hanging for nine out of the 23 charges brought against him.[4] His party BNP argued that the trial is politically motivated.[23] On 18 November 2015, Bangladesh Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of Chowdhury, upholding the death sentence.[24][25]

Execution[edit | edit source]

On 22 November 2015, at 12:45 in the morning, Chowdhury was executed by hanging at Dhaka Central Jail. Another convict, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, was also executed around the same time.[26][27][28][29] Law Minister Anisul Huq claimed that Chowdhury and Mojaheed submitted a plea for mercy, which Chowdhury's family denied.[26] Chowdhury was buried at his village home in Raozan Upazila, Chittagong on 22 November 2015.[30]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Chowdhury was married to Farhat Quader Chowdhury.[31] Farhat is the daughter of Alamgir Mohammad Adel (brother of Jahangir Mohammad Adel) and Laili Chowdhury (daughter of Lal Miah, zamindar of Faridpur). Their children include Farzin, Hummam (b. 1983) and Fazlul.[10][31][32] In August 2016, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International alleged that Hummam was arrested on 4 August 2016, and disappeared. Amnesty says multiple credible sources place him at Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) headquarters in Dhaka on 12 August, but authorities have denied having him in custody.[33] Hummam returned home in March 2017. Hummam is married to the granddaughter of industrialist A. K. Khan.

Chowdhury's brother, Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, was a member of parliament from Bangladesh Nationalist Party.[34] Other two brothers were Saifuddin and Jamaluddin.[10] Industrialist brothers Salman F Rahman and Sohel Rahman were their cousins.[10] On 3 January 2005, he met Sheikh Hasina and invited her to his son Faiyyaz's wedding.[35] Hasina said that she couldn't attend the wedding due to security concerns after the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack. There were accusations that Salahuddin was involved in the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina, to which Salahuddin replied that had he been behind the attack, the grenade wouldn't have missed Hasina.

Wealth[edit | edit source]

The QC family is one of the wealthiest families in Bangladesh. His wealth was estimated to be around Tk. 1,000 crore. He owned a house in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area located on Road 10/A. He also owned his family's historic house located on Goods Hill in Rahmatganj (Chittagong) and three other houses in the Gohira village of Raozan Upazila, where he also owned hundreds of acres of land. Salahuddin and his brothers owned the QC Group based in Chittagong. The QC Group consists of:[36][37]

  • QC Shipping Ltd.
  • QC Container Line Ltd.
  • QC Logistics Ltd.
  • QC Navigation Ltd.
  • QC Feeders Ltd.
  • QC Shipping Pte. Ltd. (domiciled in Singapore)
  • Eastern Maritime Ltd.
  • QC Trading Ltd.
  • QC Petroleum Ltd.
  • QC Estate Ltd
  • QC Holdings Ltd.
  • QC Properties Ltd.
  • QC Enterprises Ltd.
  • The Dacca Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
  • The Dacca Yarn Dyeing Ltd.
  • Unitrend Ltd. (Bangladeshi representative of international PR firm McCann Erickson)
  • Focus Multimedia Ltd. (holding company of CSB News & Radio Aamar)

Alleged Singapore account[edit | edit source]

In 2020, the Anti-Corruption Commission (Bangladesh) traced multiple accounts to Singapore which contained a combined 1 billion USD. The money was laundered there by a Bangladeshi citizen. An ACC official told the Daily Sun newspaper that the money belonged to Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury.[38]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

https://tob.news/family-claims-salauddin-quader-chowdhury-was-victim-of-judicial-killing/

  1. "Bengali against executions of opposition leaders Imran Khan has sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Salah al-Din was evidence of innocence". News Time. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. "Please spare his life, SQ Chy's family urges President". The Financial Express. Dhaka. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Politics and death in Bangladesh: The noose tightens". Economist. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Bangladesh MP Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury to hang for war crimes". BBC News. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  5. Bartrop, Paul R. (2012). A Biographical Encyclopedia of Contemporary Genocide. ABC-CLIO. p. 374. ISBN 978-0313386787.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Pennington, Matthew (20 November 2015). "US criticism grows over Bangladesh war crimes tribunal". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Farbstein, Susan (13 November 2015). "Threat of Extrajudicial Executions Looms in Bangladesh". The Human Rights Program. Harvard Law. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  8. ঔদ্ধত্যের আরেক নাম সাকাচৌ. bdnews24.com (in Bengali).
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "SQ Chy's trial to begin in August: Quamrul". BD Inn. 14 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Feuding SQ Chy family wanders in legal maze". The Daily Star. 14 February 2006. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "9th Parliament MP List" (PDF). Bangladesh Parliament (in Bengali). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  12. "Standing Committee". Bangladesh National Party (BNP). Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  13. 13.0 13.1 "SQ Chy feared Rangunia debacle". bdnews24.com. 5 September 2011. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  14. "8th Parliament MP List" (PDF). Bangladesh Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  15. "Hannan's Arrest". Star Weekend Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  16. "SQ Chowdhury's Rebuttal". Star Weekend Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  17. "SQ Chy being quizzed at this 'safe house'". Independent. Dhaka. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  18. Klasra, Rauf (19 December 2010). "Bitter past revived: Labelled traitor, an MP reminisces". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  19. "Charges against SQ Chy". Dhaka Tribune. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  20. "The charges against Salauddin Quader". bdnews24.com. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  21. "Justice delayed, but not finally denied". The Daily Observer. Dhaka. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  22. "Salauddin". The Daily Observer. Dhaka. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  23. "Bangladesh sentences 7th opposition lawmaker to death". The Times of India. Reuters. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  24. "SC publishes full verdict on Salauddin, Mojaheed". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  25. "Bangladesh Set to Hang Opposition Leaders Within Days". NDTV. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Barry, Ellen (22 November 2015). "Bangladesh Hangs 2 Leaders Convicted of War Crimes". New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  27. Habib, Haroon (22 November 2015). "Two top Bangladesh war criminals hanged". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  28. সাকা-মুজাহিদের ফাঁসি কার্যকর. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  29. "B'desh on alert after execution of 2 Oppn leaders for war crimes". Hindustan Times. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  30. "SQ Chy buried amid tight security". The Daily Star. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  31. 31.0 31.1 "Verdict leak: HC asks SQ Chy's wife, son to surrender to lower cour". The Daily Star. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  32. "Bangladesh: Sons of convicted war criminals detained". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  33. "Amnesty, HRW condemn 'detention' of SQ Chy, Mir Quasem's sons". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 15 August 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  34. "Son of SQ Chy returns home after 7 months". The Daily Star. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  35. "SQ Chy invites Hasina to son's wedding". archive.thedailystar.net. The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  36. "যুদ্ধাপরাধী সাকা চৌধুরীর যত সম্পত্তি".
  37. "Qc Group Bangladesh".
  38. "ACC finds $1bn of SQ Chy in S'pore". November 2020.