Bangladesh executes Islamist opposition leader
- 10 years ago
Bangladesh executed Islamist opposition leader Abdul Quader Mollah on Thursday (December 12).
He was convicted for war crimes committed in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
Mollah won a reprieve on Tuesday (December 10) hours before being sent to the gallows, but two days later, the Supreme Court rejected his request for a review of the death sentence.
Critics say the tribunal that found Mollah guilty is being used as a political tool by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to weaken the opposition as elections approach.
Some activists marched with torches, hailing the court's decision and demanding that Mollah be hanged immediately.
The case has divided Bangladesh, and is likely to spark more violent protests less than a month before elections.
He was convicted for war crimes committed in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
Mollah won a reprieve on Tuesday (December 10) hours before being sent to the gallows, but two days later, the Supreme Court rejected his request for a review of the death sentence.
Critics say the tribunal that found Mollah guilty is being used as a political tool by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to weaken the opposition as elections approach.
Some activists marched with torches, hailing the court's decision and demanding that Mollah be hanged immediately.
The case has divided Bangladesh, and is likely to spark more violent protests less than a month before elections.