B’DESH COURT SENTENCES 23 TO DEATH

Twenty-three people, including a leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, were on Wednesday sentenced to death for killing four activists of the ruling Awami League and its student wing in 2002.

Awami league is a political party of which Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the president. Additional Public Prosecutor Jasmin Ahmed confirmed the verdict and said that it was pronounced by Narayanganj Second Additional District and Sessions Court judge, Kamrunnahar.

Second Additional District and Sessions Judge Kamrunnahar of the Narayanganj court pronounced the verdict.

Out of the 23 convicts, four are absconding, the

Daily Star reported. The 19 others, who were present in the court, include then Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) president of Gopaldi unit Abul Bashar Kashu, the report said.

Kashu and his aides picked up the victims — Barek, his cousin Badal, Faruk and Kabir — from their houses on March 12, 2002. Later, they tortured and burnt them to death, the prosecution said.

One of the four murdered persons belonged to Awami League’s student organisation, Chhatra League. Jasmin said he was satisfied with the judgment. The opposition BNP is led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Of them, Barek, younger brother of BCL president of Araihazar thana unit and upazila vice chairman Rafiqul Islam, was involved with Chhatra League activities while Faruk and Kabir were AL activists.

After the delivery of the verdict, Additional Public Prosecutor Jasmine has expressed satisfaction over the judgement.

One of the four murdered persons belonged to Awami League’s student organisation, Chhatra League