Erdogan criticises Europe for silence over Bangladesh executions

ISTANBUL (News Desk) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out against Europe's silence over the execution of a veteran Muslim leader in Bangladesh.

In a televised address in Istanbul, he accused the West of double standards for remaining silent over the political execution of Motiur Rahman Nizami, hanged at a Dhaka jail last Tuesday for genocide, rape and orchestrating the massacre of intellectuals during the 1971 war.

Earlier on Thursday,  Turkey had withdrawn its Ambassador to Bangladesh following the execution of the opposition leader this week for 1971 war crimes.

International human rights groups have said that the procedures of the Bangladeshi tribunal that sentenced Nizami fell short of international standards.

However, the Bangladesh government rejects the claims, saying that the trials have been supported by many Bangladeshis.