Seven to die for murdering freedom fighter

A Dhaka tribunal yesterday sentenced seven people to death for killing and burning the body of freedom fighter Atik Ullah Chowdhury in December 2013.

The convicts are: Gulzar Hossain, Md Asif, Shihab Ahmed, Ahsanul Kabir Emon, Tajul Islam, Jahangir Khan, and Rafikul Islam. Jahangir and Rafikul are in jail.

Judge Abu Jafar Md Kamruzzaman of Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka handed the sentence in presence of three accused.

The tribunal also acquitted another accused Shampa, as her involvement with the killing was not proved.

On July 2, 2015, the tribunal had framed charges against eight accused.

The punishment of the fugitives will be effective from the day of their arrest or surrender, the judge said.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defense completed their arguments, while the court recorded statements of 11 prosecution witnesses including the complainant of the case.

During the investigation, Shampa and Asif gave confessional statements before the magistrates on different dates.