Bangladesh president rejects mercy plea by militants

Dhaka, Mar 6: Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed has rejected appeals for mercy by six Islamist militants on death row, officials said today.

They said the six included Shayek Abdur Rahman of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh, and their four deputies.

They were sentenced to death by the High Court last year for masterminding a series of bomb attacks which killed at least 30 people and wounded 150 in 2005.

The outlawed groups were fighting to introduce sharia law in Bangladesh, a mainly Muslim democracy.

Police said they have no further recourse for appeal.

Reuters

RelatedStories: