ADVERTISEMENT

Court upholds death sentence for 139 soldiers over massacre

In delivering his verdict Justice MdAbu Zafor Siddique described the 2009 slaughter of 74 people -- including 57 top brass -- as an unprecedented atrocity in Bangladesh's relatively short history.

"It was the most heinous, brutal and barbaric carnage of our history," he told the Dhaka courtroom of the two-day massacre in which victims were shot, hacked to death and burned alive by marauding troops.

The sentences will be appealed again in the Supreme Court, which by law has the final say in all capital punishment cases.

In 2013 a court sentenced 152 soldiers to death for the grisly killings in a mass trial criticised by the United Nations rights chief as failing to meet basic standards of due process.

ADVERTISEMENT

One of those handed the death penalty died in custody, eight others had sentences commuted to life imprisonment and four were acquitted.

Thousands were rounded up and tried in special military courts in the aftermath of the massacre, as the newly-elected government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrestled to regain control in a country prone to military coups.

Hundreds were singled out for trial in civilian courts and handed punishments ranging from death to a few years.

The high court in Dhaka on Monday upheld sentences of mixed severity to more than 380 accused, including 185 life sentences, prosecutor Jahid Sarwar Kazal told AFP.

"Forty-five people were acquitted," he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

The mutineers stole thousands of weapons in February 2009 from the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) paramilitary squad before embarking on a killing spree in the barracks.

The home of the BDR chief was also stormed and his wife, guests and staff slaughtered before the building was razed.

The remains of those butchered in the carnage were dumped in sewers or shallow graves.

"Nowhere in the world did anything happen like the way those 57 top army officers were killed," Bangladesh Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters outside the courthouse.

The uprising quickly spread to other military bases, with thousands of soldiers seizing weapons and pledging allegiance to the mutineers in Dhaka before it was quashed by the army.

ADVERTISEMENT

An official investigation into the mutiny blamed years of pent-up anger among ordinary soldiers, who felt their appeals for pay rises and better treatment were ignored.

Rights groups criticised the scale of the punishments meted out en masse, claiming the trials were "an affront to international legal standards".

Bangladesh defended the death sentences, insisting those convicted would have a chance to appeal and denying claims that confessions were extracted through torture.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

FG presents 1,437 metric tonnes food commodities to Niger Govt

FG presents 1,437 metric tonnes food commodities to Niger Govt

Jimoh Ibrahim warns Tinubu about danger of not dropping ministers accused of corruption

Jimoh Ibrahim warns Tinubu about danger of not dropping ministers accused of corruption

EFCC to arraign Sirika and his daughter on Thursday over ₦2.7bn fraud

EFCC to arraign Sirika and his daughter on Thursday over ₦2.7bn fraud

Fubara's loyalist, Jumbo emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

Fubara's loyalist, Jumbo emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

Reps want military joint taskforce to flush out criminals in Niger

Reps want military joint taskforce to flush out criminals in Niger

Okomu Oil Palm threatens to shut down operations due to militant invasions

Okomu Oil Palm threatens to shut down operations due to militant invasions

Delta Assembly confirms appointment of Governor Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

Delta Assembly confirms appointment of Governor Oborevwori’s 5 nominees

Reps form committee to probe death of 4-year-old at Brickhall school

Reps form committee to probe death of 4-year-old at Brickhall school

FCT residents choose ponmo, crayfish for protein amid soaring meat, fish prices

FCT residents choose ponmo, crayfish for protein amid soaring meat, fish prices

Pulse Sports

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT