Bangladesh sentences Islamic cleric to death for crimes from 1971 independence war

DHAKA, Bangladesh - A Bangladesh tribunal has sentenced a cleric linked to an Islamic fundamentalist party to death for crimes against humanity for his actions during the country's 1971 independence war.

The conviction and sentencing Monday of Abul Kalam Azad was the first verdict handed down by the controversial tribunal trying people accused of committing crimes during the war.

Azad was convicted in absentia because he reportedly fled to Pakistan upon being charged last year.