Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was executed at Dhaka Central Jail on Wednesday, for committing war crimes during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Following the the execution of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami leader Motiur Rahman Nizami, Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Bangladesh, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

In its statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the death penalty given to the 73-year-old. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the move while several groups connected to Turkish NGOs held protests outside Bangladesh embassy in Ankara. In Istanbul, members of the Anatolia Youth Association (AGD) gathered to voice their objections at a park.

However, Bangladesh chose to remain unperturbed by Turkey's reaction on the incident.

Speaking to India Today Television, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh M Shahriar Alam said, "The Turkey government is yet to inform Bangladesh about withdrawing its ambassador from Dhaka. We have not received any official notice on this matter. Bangladesh will not be affected by Turkey's concern over Nijami's execution."

"Bangladesh will not accept any 'negative reaction' from any country on the trial of war criminals. We will continue to take all necessary steps against such criminals," he added.

Quoting a diplomatic source who spoke on condition of anonymity, leading Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News said that ambassador Devrim Ozturk is likely to arrive at Ankara later during the day.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was executed at Dhaka Central Jail on Wednesday, for committing war crimes during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. The executive order to carry on with the execution was passed after the Jamaat-e-Islami chief refused to beg the president to have mercy on him. With this, Nizami became the fifth war criminal to be put to death.

A crowd of activists celebrated the execution outside the jail in Dhaka, while Jamaat-e-Islami issued a statement condemning it and calling for a day-long general strike across Bangladesh for Monday.

Also read: Bangladesh executes Jamaat-e-Islami chief Nizami for 1971 war crimes

