Bangladesh prepares to hang six Islamist bombers

Dhaka, Mar 7: Bangladesh is tightening security ahead of the planned execution of six Islamist militants who lost their last chance for clemency when their appeal was rejected by the country's president.

They will be hanged within a month after President Iajuddin Ahmed on Monday rejected their final appeal and ordered them to the gallows.

Prison officials today said they were completing preparations for the hangings, but would not disclose the place and time for security reasons.

''The curtain will fall soon,'' said one official who asked not to be named. ''''Now this can take place any day.'' The six include Shayek Abdur Rahman of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen group and Siddikul Islam Bangla Bhai of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh. Both outlawed groups are fighting to introduce sharia law in Bangladesh, a mainly Muslim democracy.

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

The victims included judges, lawyers, police and other officials.

The home ministry said security had been beefed up across the country as intelligence reports said followers of the condemned men were regrouping and could strike again.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since January 11, and is run by an interim government until the next election -- for which no date has yet been set.

Reuters