Bangladesh court stays execution of militants

DHAKA, Oct 2 (Reuters) Bangladesh's Supreme Court has ordered a stay of execution for four Islamist militants sentenced to death for bomb attacks that killed at least 30 people last year, a court official said.

The militants included Shayek Abdur Rahman and Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai, heads of two outlawed Islamist groups seeking the introduction of sharia-based Islamic law in Bangladesh, a mainly Muslim democracy.

The two, who head the groups Jamaat-ul Mujahideen and Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh, appealed for clemency on Friday. Their petition is to be heard on October 15 and execution has been suspended until its settlement, said Fazlul Karim, secretary of the Supreme Court.

A court sentenced seven militants to death for killing two judges in the coastal town of Jhalakathi in November last year. Bombs wrecked the judges' car as they headed to court.

In bomb attacks between August and December 2005, the militants killed at least 30 people and wounded 150. Victims included lawyers, judges, police, officials and journalists.

REUTERS LL RAI1511