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BDR Mutiny

Trial in 6 divisional courts by early Nov

Staff Correspondent
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed yesterday said six separate courts would be constituted in six divisional headquarters to begin Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny trial at the end of this month or beginning of November.
Briefing newsmen at his secretariat office, the minister said the BDR Director General Maj Gen Mainul Islam would lead the mutiny trial in the new courts.
He said government-appointed lawyers and the Attorney General's office would assist chief of the border guards so that the trial is fair and transparent.
"Names of some lawyers, who are to conduct the cases, in the new courts, have already been sent to BDR headquarters," said the law minister, adding that the decision to form the courts came up in an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday.
He said trial of serious offences like killings and looting would be held under the Speedy Trial Tribunals on completion of the investigation into the February 25-26 mutiny by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The accused in the mutiny case would get the opportunity to appoint defence lawyers, said the law minister.
In a reply to a question, Shafique said the CID is likely to submit its investigation report within this month.
About the number of accused, who are going to face trial, he said it could be ascertained after the completion of the probe.
Asked if the trial will be fair under the incumbent chief of the paramilitary force, who is also an army general, the minister said the trial would be neutral and there would be no scope for any partiality.
"There will be no lack of transparency and no innocent people will be awarded punishment," he told the reporters.
Shafique refuted the allegation of the opposition that the government is interfering with the judicial process claiming that there is no direct or indirect involvement of the government in it at all.
A total of 74 persons, including 57 army officers, have been killed in the mutiny.
The government on September 15 decided to try
the mutineers under the BDR Act and those charged with killings and looting under the penal code by speedy trial tribunal.
Earlier President Zillur Rahman sent a reference to the Supreme Court on August 17, seeking opinion on the trial process, specifically whether the trial of the BDR mutineers could be held under the Army Act 1952.
The court appointed 10 senior lawyers as amici curiae to advise on the reference. Majority of them opined that trial of BDR personnel could not be held under the Army Act. 1952 even by notification.