Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The five detained convicts of the Bangabandhu assassination case were executed early Thursday, nearly 15 hours after the Supreme Court dismissed their review petitions filed against its verdict confirming their death sentence.
The convicts who walked to gallows were Syed Farooq Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Huda and AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed, according to reports.
The execution was held in Dhaka Central Jail in presence of the home secretary, inspector general of prisons, civil surgeon and Dhaka district magistrate.
The relatives and friends of the convicts in small groups met with the killers at the jail gate Wednesday evening amid tight security.
Three-tier security measures were taken around the jail compound ahead of the execution. Vehicular movement on Nazimuddin Road, where the central jail was situated, was suspended as part of the security measures, witnesses said.
The four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Md Tafazzul Islam Wednesday morning dismissed the killers’ review petitions, clearing the way of executing the convicts in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case.
Following the apex court ruling, the law ministry had an emergency meeting on their execution Wednesday afternoon.
After the meeting, Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said the five convicts would be executed any day before January 31.
On November 19 last year, the Supreme Court in its verdict confirmed capital punishment of 12 former army officers including the five.
Of the 12 condemned convicts of the case, one has died while six others are on the run.
On August 15, 1975 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were killed. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana survived the massacre.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-28January10-1:27 am (BST)