Sign in Subscribe
Murder

Bangladesh High Court Upholds Death Penalty for Five Convicted of Murdering Photojournalist Aftab Ahmed

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a significant development, the High Court of Bangladesh has reaffirmed the death penalty for five individuals and life imprisonment for another in the high-profile murder case of Aftab Ahmed, a renowned photojournalist. Aftab Ahmed, who was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2006 for his outstanding contribution to journalism, was found murdered at his home in December 2013. The High Court division bench comprising Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Md Bashir Ullah pronounced the judgment, stating that the state had successfully proven all charges against the convicts beyond a reasonable doubt. The convicts, including Billal Hossain Kislu, Habib Hawlader, Raju Munshi, Rasel, and Humayun Ahmed, had been sentenced to death by the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 on March 28, 2017. Raju Munshi and Rasel remain absconding, while another accused, Sabuj Khan, was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Taka 10,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The High Court of Bangladesh has upheld the death penalty for five individuals found guilty of murdering photojournalist Aftab Ahmed in 2013.
  • The court, led by Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Justice Md Bashir Ullah, reaffirmed the verdict after reviewing the case and hearing appeals from the convicts.
  • The five convicts, including Billal Hossain Kislu, Habib Hawlader, Raju Munshi, Rasel, and Humayun Ahmed, were initially sentenced to death by the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 on March 28, 2017.
  • Aftab Ahmed, a veteran photojournalist and recipient of the Ekushey Padak in 2006, was found murdered at his home on December 25, 2013.
  • Raju Munshi and Rasel remain absconding, while Sabuj Khan was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Taka 10,000.

Statistics:

  • The High Court division bench spent considerable time reviewing the case and hearing appeals from the convicts.
  • A total of five individuals were sentenced to death, while one was sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • The Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 initially sentenced the five individuals to death on March 28, 2017.
  • Aftab Ahmed was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2006 for his outstanding contribution to journalism.

Sources:

  • BSS (Bangladesh's official news agency)
  • [No additional sources mentioned in the original text]

Read more