A Bangladesh court sentenced five former police officials to death Monday for opening fire on a motorcade of then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina 31 years ago, killing 24 of her supporters during an anti-government rally.
Judge Mohammed Ismail Hossain in southeastern Bangladesh’s Chittagong city announced the verdict with four defendants present, said prosecution lawyer Shibu Prakash Biswas.
One defendant has fled, he said.
Hasina is now prime minister of the South Asian nation.
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On January 24, 1988, police started shooting as Hasina’s motorcade surrounded by her supporters was approaching the rally against then military dictator H.M. Ershad.
He ruled the country for nearly nine years until 1990, when he was overthrown in an uprising.
An Awami League leader, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, during his witness testimony in court said this unprovoked police firing that left at least 24 Awami League party leaders and activists dead was part of a premeditated plan to assassinate Hasina.
Eight policemen, including Mirza Rakibul Huda, the then Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner, were named as accused in the charge sheet.
Of them, three have already passed away while death-row convict former Constable GC Mondal is currently on the run. (NAN)
