Bangladesh erupts in violence after Islamist gets life in jail

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By Cheryl K. Chumley

The Washington Times

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

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Leaders of Bangladesh’s largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and activists demonstrate in Dhaka, ... more >

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Police opened fire on protesters Tuesday as violence erupted in cities in Bangladesh over a war crimes tribunal’s sentencing of a key Islamist party leader to life in prison.

Abdul Quader Mollah, 64, was found guilty of murder, rape, torture and arson, Reuters reported. He committed the acts, according to Reuters, during Bangladesh’s 1971 war with Pakistan.

Supporters of Mollah clashed with police shortly after the verdict was read. Police used gunfire and truncheons to help drive back the protesters in the city of Chittagong; one person was killed, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, others expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict as too lax.

Mollah’s verdict is the second the court has issued in the past month related to the 1971 war. A month ago, a former Islamist party official was sentenced to death, and prosecutors expected more of the same for Mollah’s punishment.

“We hare not happy with the verdict,” said Mohammad Ali, a state prosecutor, according to Reuters. “We wanted his death and are surprised by the lesser punishment handed out by the tribunal.”

About the Author

Cheryl K. Chumley

Cheryl Chumley is a continuous news writer for The Washington Times. Previously, she was part of the start-up team for The Washington Times’ digital aggregation product, Times247. She’s also a 2008-2009 Robert Novak journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation. She can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.