The Jamaat was banned in the early years after Bangladesh separated from Pakistan in 1971.

It had opposed the freedom movement and its members, including its current top leadership, stand accused of 'war crimes' -- killing unarmed civilians at the behest of the Pakistani authorities of the day.

Its cadres had targeted religious minorities and those sympathetic to the freedom struggle. Bangladesh says three million people died during the 1971 freedom movement.

The Jamaat shared power with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during 2001-06 and had three ministers in the Khaleda Zia government.

Both parties lost badly in the election last December and are in the opposition.