Bangladesh SC upholds death sentence for Mujib's killers

Dhaka, Jan 27 (ANI): Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a High Court verdict that confirmed the death sentences of 12 retired and dismissed army men involved in assassination of country's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members in 1975.

The four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Md. Tafazzul Islam pronounced the verdict after three days of hearing of the five of the 12 convicted ex-military officials who are now in jail facing the death penalty.

The five convicts are sacked lieutenant colonels Syed Faruq Rahman, Sultan Shariar Rashid Khan, Mohiuddin Ahmed (artillery) and AKM Mohiuddin and sacked major Bazlul Huda.

In 1998, a Dhaka court had sentenced the men to death for the killing Rahman. The five petitioned the Supreme Court to commute their sentences. Seven others who were also convicted are fugitives abroad.

Mujib was assassinated at his Dhanmondi house in a military putsch. All members of his family except his daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana were killed. (ANI)