Bangladesh court sentences 26 to death for 2014 murders

By Mainul Islam Khan

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – A total of 26 people, including three former military officers were sentenced to death for murdering seven people in 2014 at the behest of a politician.

Among the convicts were Nur Hossain, who was arrested in India, and three sacked military officials -- Lt. Col. Tareque Sayeed Mohammad, Maj. Arif Hossain, navy Lt. Cmdr. S.M. Masud Rana -- who had served on deputation in the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite police force in Bangladesh.

A lower court judge in Narayanganj city near the capital Dhaka ordered the convicts to be hanged.

Of the total 35 convicts, 12 were tried in absentia.

Most of the convicts were junior personnel of the police unit.

The trial court was told that evidence proved Hossain, a city councilor, had bribed the elite police unit to assassinate his political rivals, including fellow Councilor Nazrul Islam.

Following the court order, Law Minister Anisul Huq said: "I think the people of the country will be pleased by this verdict and the fear that was created by the monstrous crime, will now be gone. The state has done its duty of bringing the criminals to justice and ensuring their free and fair trial."

Defense counsels said they will challenge the verdict in the High Court.

On April 27, 2014, Islam and five of his associates were abducted from their car on the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road. Around the same time in the afternoon and from the same location, senior lawyer Chandan Sarker and his driver were also kidnapped. Seven dead bodies were later found floating in River Shitalakkhya near Narayanganj city.

Later, Mohammad, Hossain and Rana were sacked from their services for their alleged involvement in the abductions and killings. The 35 convicts were indicted on Feb. 8, 2016, in the case.