Mujib’s killers seek re-trial by Bangladesh military court

DHAKA - Two former Bangladesh army officers, convicted of killing the country’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman over 34 years ago, have sought re-trial by a military court.

The killings of then president who was also referred to as Sheikh Mujib, most of his family members and several political associates Aug 16, 1975 were a revolt by army men, not any conspiracy, a lawyer for Bazlul Huda and A.K.M. Mohiuddin told a Supreme Court bench.

After a lapse of several years, a special bench of the apex court has this month resumed hearing of the appeals against the death sentences by five former army officers.

Lawyer Abdullah-al-Mamun told the court that the entire army was behind the killings, which was the result of a coup d’etat.

He said his clients had acted to prevent Mujib from declaring Bangladesh a ‘monarchy’ that would have been subservient to India.

Mujib and his government were perceived as pro-India because of the latter’s support to the freedom movement that led to the separation from Pakistan in 1971.

Mamun pointed out that then army chief had not responded to an SOS from Mujib who called him on telephone when the attackers entered his home.

The air force and the navy chief and other top civil and military brass had also not acted to save Mujib.

Summing up his arguments, Mamun said the attackers’ intention was not to kill Mujib or his family members, The Daily Star newspaper said.

Mamun contended the real culprits would have been unmasked had the case been tried under the army act.

The murder trial has been resumed through the efforts of Mujib’s elder daughter and now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, one of the only two survivors of the family that was massacred. Hasina returned to power in January.

Besides those convicted and claiming re-trial, several participants in the putsch are absconding.