DHAKA: A Bangladesh court yesterday sentenced eight students from the ruling party to death for the brutal murder of a young Hindu that was captured live on television in the capital.
The special fast-track court found the Awami League (AL) activists guilty of chasing down Biswajit Das, 24, and hacking him with machetes while police stood by, in a crime that shocked the nation after its airing on TV.
Another 13 activists were sentenced to life in prison for murdering Das, whom prosecutors said they mistook for a supporter of opposition strikes that took place last December. Prosecutor SM Rafiqul Islam confirmed eight students were handed a death sentence while “13 were given life in prison.”
Two of those handed the death penalty were tried in absentia. The victim’s elder brother Uttam Das said the family was happy with the verdict and called for the executions to be swiftly carried out.
The trial was a major test for the secular AL amid allegations at the time that police, who are closely linked with the AL government, tried to cover up the identities of the activists.
AFP
