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Bangladesh protest strike over Jamaat war crimes sentence | Bangladesh protest strike over Jamaat war crimes sentence |
(35 minutes later) | |
Bangladesh has stepped up security ahead of a two-day strike called in protest at a death sentence given to an Islamist party leader. | Bangladesh has stepped up security ahead of a two-day strike called in protest at a death sentence given to an Islamist party leader. |
Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, of Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced on charges including murder, rape and torture during the war of independence in 1971. | Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, of Jamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced on charges including murder, rape and torture during the war of independence in 1971. |
The sentence on Thursday sparked riots that have left at least 45 people dead. | The sentence on Thursday sparked riots that have left at least 45 people dead. |
The Islamists say the tribunal is politically motivated, something the Bangladesh government denies. | The Islamists say the tribunal is politically motivated, something the Bangladesh government denies. |
Bangladeshi media reported Jamaat-e-Islami activists attacking police outposts in the northern district of Bogra early on Sunday. | |
A police chief in the town of Shahjahanpur told AFP news agency that at least four people had died in clashes. He said troops had been deployed in the area. | |
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in the southern city of Chittagong says there has been no let up in the violence since the death sentence was issued. | The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in the southern city of Chittagong says there has been no let up in the violence since the death sentence was issued. |
Police have fought pitched battles with supporters of the Islamist party in many parts of the country. | Police have fought pitched battles with supporters of the Islamist party in many parts of the country. |
Three people were killed in Chittagong on Saturday and Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the police of firing without provocation. | Three people were killed in Chittagong on Saturday and Jamaat-e-Islami has accused the police of firing without provocation. |
The Bangladeshi government rejected the criticism, saying violence against civilians and police officers would not be tolerated. | The Bangladeshi government rejected the criticism, saying violence against civilians and police officers would not be tolerated. |
The US has expressed concern about the violence and has appealed for the protests to be peaceful. | The US has expressed concern about the violence and has appealed for the protests to be peaceful. |
The special war crimes tribunal is trying those accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities during the country's independence war in 1971. | The special war crimes tribunal is trying those accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces and committing atrocities during the country's independence war in 1971. |
The tribunal is trying a total of nine Jamaat leaders and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Both parties called for the strike. | The tribunal is trying a total of nine Jamaat leaders and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Both parties called for the strike. |
Earlier this month, another Jamaat leader, Abdul Kader Mullah, was sentenced to life for crimes against humanity. | Earlier this month, another Jamaat leader, Abdul Kader Mullah, was sentenced to life for crimes against humanity. |
In January, former party leader Abul Kalam Azad was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. | In January, former party leader Abul Kalam Azad was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. |
However, human rights groups have said the tribunal falls short of international standards. | However, human rights groups have said the tribunal falls short of international standards. |
With Jamaat threatening more protests, there are increasing concerns over political stability in the country, our correspondent says. | With Jamaat threatening more protests, there are increasing concerns over political stability in the country, our correspondent says. |
Are you in Bangladesh? What are your views on the protest? Please contact us using the form below. |