Mujib case: penalty deferred

DHAKA, FEB. 7. Bangladesh's High Court today put off confirming death sentences awarded to 15 former military commanders convicted for the assassination of Bangladesh's first President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 25 years ago. A trial court sentenced the men a year ago for the killing of Mujibur Rahman during a 1975 military coup. But under Bangladeshi law, the death penalty cannot be carried out until it is approved by the High Court.

The judges cited a backlog of pending cases for the delay. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, who is Rahman's daughter, ordered the trial in 1996 after she led her father's Awami League party to power for the first time since the coup.

The prosecution lawyer, Mr. Anisul Huq, asked the High Court judges, Mr. S.M. Ruhul Amin and Mr. Mohammad Abdul Matin, yesterday to begin the hearing for confirmation of the lower court's verdict. The two judges are responsible for such proceedings.

The judges said they were still dealing with death sentences passed by lower courts in 1996. Court officials confirmed that more than 100 death penalty cases were awaiting confirmation.

``We have been told to wait until our turn comes,'' Mr. Huq said.

Only four of the 15 men facing execution are held in Dhaka's central jail. They have pleaded not guilty.

The other 11, who were tried in absentia, are fugitives reportedly living in Canada, the United States, Pakistan and Libya.

- AP

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Section  : International
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