AL demands 'neutral' trial of jail killings
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
The Awami League (AL) has demanded a 'neutral' trial of those charged with the brutal killing of four national leaders in Dhaka Central Jail 33 years back, as Jail Killings Day was being observed Monday, reports bdnews24.com.
"We have still to receive justice. Those responsible for the jail killings wanted not only to destroy the leadership of AL but also Bangladesh," AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.
"Pro-liberation forces are now united. All of us will fight for justice," he said.
The slain leaders-acting president of Bangladesh Syed Nazrul Islam, prime minister Tajuddin Ahmed and ministers M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman-were senior figures in the wartime cabinet of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They were killed on this day in 1975, less than three months after Mujib himself had been assassinated.
The Jail Killing Case was revived in 1996, but a verdict handed down by the court on Oct 20, 2004 was never carried out.
Three former army officials were given the death penalty for their role in the custodial killings, 12 suspects were awarded life sentences, and five suspects were acquitted.
The day started with families of the victims laying wreaths at the graves, with Bangabandhu Bhaban and all AL offices across the country flying the national flag at half-mast and raising black flags.
AL central leaders including Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Syed Ashraful Islam also paid their respects at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi.
Later they paid homage at the graves of the slain leaders at Banani.
"We have still to receive justice. Those responsible for the jail killings wanted not only to destroy the leadership of AL but also Bangladesh," AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.
"Pro-liberation forces are now united. All of us will fight for justice," he said.
The slain leaders-acting president of Bangladesh Syed Nazrul Islam, prime minister Tajuddin Ahmed and ministers M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman-were senior figures in the wartime cabinet of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They were killed on this day in 1975, less than three months after Mujib himself had been assassinated.
The Jail Killing Case was revived in 1996, but a verdict handed down by the court on Oct 20, 2004 was never carried out.
Three former army officials were given the death penalty for their role in the custodial killings, 12 suspects were awarded life sentences, and five suspects were acquitted.
The day started with families of the victims laying wreaths at the graves, with Bangabandhu Bhaban and all AL offices across the country flying the national flag at half-mast and raising black flags.
AL central leaders including Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Syed Ashraful Islam also paid their respects at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi.
Later they paid homage at the graves of the slain leaders at Banani.