22 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF AL MP

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 001799

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2010
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER BG
SUBJECT: 22 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF AL MP


Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 d.


1. (C) Summary: A Speedy Trial Tribunal has sentenced to
death 22 people, mostly tied to the ruling BNP, for the May
2004 murder of Awami League MP Ahsanullah Master. AL leaders
expressed satisfaction with the judgment but want the
"godfathers" behind the attack identified and brought to
justice. There are reliable reports that police were
prevented from tracing links between Master's killers and
senior BNP figures, a pattern many believe is being repeated
in the Kibria case. Nevertheless, the BDG can now argue that
is has solved the murder of a major opposition leader. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) The April 16 sentencing of 22 persons to death for
the May 2004 murder of Awami League (AL) MP Ahsanullah Master
represents the most capital punishment sentences for a single
case in Bangladeshi history. Master, a popular AL labor
leader and Chairman of the Institute for Labor Studies, was
shot to death, along with a student, during a political rally
in the industrial district of Tongi. He was well-known and
respected as a teacher and a scholar who worked closely with
BNP leaders on labor issues. Master was also active in
trying to rid his constituency of drugs and criminals. His
murder generated widespread media attention and demands for
justice. Master's young son, as the AL candidate, easily won
the subsequent by-election for his father's seat.


3. (SBU) The trial and sentencing were done in record time.
Up to 17 of those sentenced to death appear to be tied to the
BNP, while three others are AL activists, and two more belong
to General Ershad's Jatiya Party. The alleged mastermind,
Nurul Islam Sarkar, is reportedly a local BNP youth wing
leader whose brother is the BNP leader from the Tongi area.
Six other defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment.
However, only 12 of the defendants are actually in custody.


4. (SBU) The tribunal judge told local media that local
political activists were behind the crime because they viewed
Master as an obstacle to their criminal activities in the
area. He noted the condemned have the right of appeal to the
high court, and that this process would likely be lengthy.


5. (SBU) Ahsanullah's family has expressed satisfaction with
the verdict and is asking for prompt execution of the
condemned. AL Secretary General Abdul Jalil told us that he
is generally happy with the convictions but wants the
"conspirators" and "godfathers" who directed the attack to be
identified and brought to justice as well. AL Joint
Secretary General Mukul Bose confirmed to us that the party

SIPDIS
is happy with the convictions, and wants similar speedy
justice in the Kibria case.


6. (C) Comment: There are reliable reports that police were
prevented from tracing links between the suspects and senior
BNP figures, a pattern many believe is being repeated with
the Kibria case. Nevertheless, the BDG can now argue that it
has solved the murder of a major opposition leader. The
assertion that criminal interests drove Master's killing is
consistent with the common overlap between local political
activists of all parties and criminal activities.
THOMAS