Bangladesh executed two opposition leaders for committing war crimes during the country’s 1971 fight for independence against Pakistan.

Salahuddin Quadar Chowdhury, a six-term member of Parliament, was convicted of genocide, arson, and persecution on religious and political grounds, as well as six other charges. Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, the head of the country’s largest Islamic party, was found guilty of abduction, murder, and more.

The two maintained that they were innocent despite the war crimes tribunal’s verdict.

The Bangladesh government says that the two have been brought to justice, though the country’s opposition claims that the war crimes tribunal is not up to international standards and is used to persecute the government’s opponents.