Malcolm X: Two convictions overturned for the murder of US civil rights activists

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Muhammad Aziz (on November 18 in New York City)

Photo: JUSTIN LANE / EPA

More than half a century after the death of US civil rights activist Malcolm X, the convictions of two men convicted in connection with his murder have been overturned.

"I apologize for serious and inexcusable violations of the law," New York District Attorney Cy Vance said Thursday.

This was preceded by a 22-month investigation jointly conducted by the Manhattan Attorney's Office and the two men's attorneys.

It revealed that prosecutors and two of the country's top law enforcement agencies - the FBI, the New York Police - had withheld important evidence.

According to the New York Times, this led to the acquittal of Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam.

Islam had spent 20 years in prison after the conviction and died in 2009.

Aziz was released from prison in 1985.

"I don't need this court, these defense attorneys, or a piece of paper to tell myself I'm innocent," Aziz said, according to the New York Times.

"I'm an 83-year-old who has been criminalized by the judicial system."

Third man had admitted the act

As the only one of the three shooters, Thomas Hagan had admitted the act at the time.

He was released in 2010 after around 45 years in prison in the US.

Malcolm X was murdered on February 21, 1965.

At a lecture in New York, 21 shots were fired at him.

The perpetrators were allegedly members of the religious and political organization Nation of Islam, which X had decisively influenced until his break with the leader Elijah Muhammad.

Ever since the verdicts, there have always been experts and historians who suspect a more far-reaching conspiracy behind the bloody act.

Earlier this year, Malcolm X's family presented a letter alleging that the FBI and New York Police were involved in the conspiracy surrounding the murder.

jok / dpa