The execution of justice is not a popularity contest.

[Liem is firm in this belief. The moment that people's personal opinions of the accused are what determines their guilt, justice has failed.]

Even if not a single person here likes him, [— god knows Liem has no fondness for the creature —] others may be convinced that he is worth keeping alive, to undo some of the wrongs he caused, if for no other reason. He could yet be instrumental in regaining access to the Scorching Isles, if such a thing is possible.

But, rather saliently, we will not know until we investigate further.