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| Bangladesh |
| All 29 accused jailed |
| 2010-04-08 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] A special court of Bangladesh Rifles yesterday sentenced all the 29 accused of 25 Rifle Battalion to different terms of rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in February 25-26 BDR mutiny in 2009. BDR Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Mainul Islam delivered the first verdict of BDR mutiny case in Panchagarh. After the arguments from the defendants and prosecutors on Tuesday, the Special Court-2 delivered the judgment yesterday around 4:00pm. Thirteen jawans were sentenced to seven years' term while one to six years', one to four years', six to three years', two to two years', five to thirteen months' and another to four months'. The same court on Sunday framed charges against the 29 accused. Before delivering the verdict the president of the court said all the facts and evidence proved that the mutiny in Panchagarh battalion took place on February 26 and the accused were involved in it. Sentenced to seven-year-term are Assistant Nayek Manjur Hossain, lance nayeks Siddiqur Rahman, Jakaria and Nuruzzaman, sepoys Giasuddin, Shafiqur Rahman, Mohibur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, SM Suman Ahmed, Abdul Karim, Monir Hossain, Sepoy Armourer Md Mehedi Hasan and Habilder Monwar Hossain. Lance Nayek Zahidul Islam was sentenced to six years' term while Sepoy Waheduzzaman to four years'. The mutineers sentenced to three years' imprisonment are Medical Assistant Lance Nayek Abu Md Nazer Chowdhury, Sepoy driver Balai Chandra Biswas, Sepoys Ahsanul Azam, Masudul Karim, Mostafizur Rahman and Kamal Chandra Roy. Lance Nayek Akhteruzzaman, and Nayek DM Enamul Kabir were awarded two years' imprisonment while sepoys Lutfor Rahman, Faruque Hossain, Mozammel Hossain, Habilder Armourer Md Rafiqul Islam and Sepoy (driver) Fasiar Rahman to thirteen months'. Sepoy Mizanur Rahman was awarded four months' imprisonment. The court awarded lesser punishment to seven of the 29 accused as they sought mercy confessing to their guilt at the beginning of the trial, which saved time in completing the proceedings. The president of the court said this day and the verdict would remain as an example in the history of BDR. All legal proceedings were maintained during the trial and the accused were given 57 days' time instead of 27 days. He also mentioned that six civilian lawyers and one BDR official were appointed for legal assistance to the accused. The trial was held in presence of visitors and journalists. The convicts, soon after Mainul pronounced the judgement and left the court, cried out loud. Many of them said they have been punished for nothing while the real culprits are still at large. Wife of convict Lutfor Rahman alleged her husband didn't get justice as the court refused to listen to the accused. On the day of the mutiny Lutfor was engaged in duties at the quarter guard, she said claiming her husband's innocence. Abdul Qayum, brother of Sepoy Abdul Karim, said he was not allowed to see his brother even after waiting for four days. Government lawyer Lt Col Sirajul Haque, commanding officer of 25 Rifle Battalion, in a press briefing said such verdict was necessary for a disciplined force. He added the court has given its judgement after considering all the evidence. Allegations against the accused have been proved beyond doubt. Rafiquddin Ahmed, lawyer for five accused, said there is no scope for questioning any witness in accordance with the BDR law. Government lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajal said justice has been done and this is the first step to rid BDR of the stigma. He noted, the special court is the highest court of BDR and no other option is left to challenge the verdict. Charges were framed against the accused on April 4. Seven of them admitted their offences and begged pardon while the rest claimed to be innocent. None however agreed to give deposition for the accused, the BDR DG informed the court. He also ordered government lawyers to send copies of the verdict to BDR headquarters, district commissioner, jail superintendent and superintendent of police. The trial began on February 3 and was adjourned on February 4 giving the accused about 61 days to take preparation for their defence. The Special Court-2 will resume hearing of charges against 51 BDR men of 20 Rifle Battalion today. |
| Posted by:Fred |