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| Bangladesh |
| Decision on BDR rebels' trial today |
| 2009-07-15 |
| An inter-ministerial meeting will decide today whether the trial of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutineers will be held under the Army Act. The meeting to be chaired by Law Minister Shafique Ahmed will discuss the proposal of BDR authorities on the ways of holding trial of the mutineers and finally take the decision. It may also finalise the names, uniform and other recommendations made by the BDR authorities for restructuring the border force, sources said. "The meeting will decide under which laws the trial of those involved in BDR mutiny and carnage will be held," Shafique Ahmed told The Daily Star yesterday. Asked whether any decision has already been taken to try those who were directly involved in the February 25-26 BDR headquarters mutiny under the Army Act, he replied in the negative and said everything will be decided at the meeting. Asked about the meeting, BDR Director General Maj Gen Md Mainul Islam said they have already submitted a proposal with recommendations about holding of the trial. Sources said BDR authorities in a letter sent to the home and law secretaries on June 23 proposed to hold trial of the mutineers at BDR headquarters and elsewhere in the country under the Army Act. The letter signed by the BDR DG also has proposed to make a government announcement of quick trial of the border guards who staged mutiny in 28 other districts following the Pilkhana carnage. The letter also said if the trial is held under the conventional law, it will be tough to prove the mutiny charge against BDR jawans in the cases filed outside the capital. |
| Posted by:Steve White |