Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DHAKA546
2007-04-04 04:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
JMB EXECUTED; GOB TARGETS POLITICAL PROTECTORS
how-toVZCZCXRO3820 PP RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #0546 0940404 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040404Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3699 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1577 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9786 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9012 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7854 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: JMB EXECUTED; GOB TARGETS POLITICAL PROTECTORS
REF: A. DHAKA 0520
B. DHAKA 0376
C. DHAKA 0119
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000546
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: JMB EXECUTED; GOB TARGETS POLITICAL PROTECTORS
REF: A. DHAKA 0520
B. DHAKA 0376
C. DHAKA 0119
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Terrorists Executed: Bangladesh (GOB) hanged six top
leaders of the militant group Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh
(JMB) on March 30, keeping execution details (time and place)
secret. Sentenced to death in September 2006 for killing two
SIPDIS
judges in 2005, the six exhausted their appeals in January
2007 and filed unsuccessful clemency petitions to President
Iajuddin Ahmed. The executed include JMB leader Sheikh Abdur
Rahman, JMB deputy, Siddiqul Islam also known as Bangla Bhai,
ruling council members Ataur Rahman Sunny, Abdul Awal, Khaled
Saifullah and Iftekhar al Mamun. Their bodies were returned
to the families under tight security. JMB member Asadul
Islam remains at large.
2. (C) Public and private reactions ranged from satisfaction
to acceptance: Abdul Wadud, a member of fundamentalist group
Alhe Hadith told us, "we are happy for their deaths because
they killed people." Criminal attorney Razzaki Farid told
poloff the legal proceedings moved "a little faster than
normal," noting that "even terrorists must have the privilege
of law." Jamaat Islami members welcomed the executions
calling JMB members "illiterate and impatient." Public
reaction was minimal; press coverage was extensive.
3. (C) Residual JMB capabilities: Since the January 11
declaration of a State of Emergency, the GOB arrested JMB
cadres further weakening an organization already undermined
by the arrests of their leaders (ref C). With supporters and
sympathizers that could number 5,000, we believe JMB remains
capable of conducting limited terrorist actions. After
clemency petitions were denied, the media reported JMB
intended to kidnap the Ambassador or other diplomats to
prevent executions or to retaliate afterwards (ref B).
4. (SBU) Arresting supporters and financial backers: On
April 1, GOB officials announced they would prosecute
political figures who support terrorists. Inspector General
of Police Noor Mohammad told media the GOB will arrest
terrorist patrons soon. Police and terror victims filed
cases against several political leaders, including former
Telecommunications Minister Aminul Haque, former Deputy
Minister of Land Ruhul "Dulu" Quddus Talukter, and former BNP
Member of Parliament Nadim Mustafa for their alleged support
and financial backing of JMB.
5. (C) Bangladesh's counterterrorist commitment: When JMB
started its activities, the USG consistently urged the GOB to
pursue JMB and their supporters. The interim government's
intention to prosecute JMB's political supporters stands in
sharp contrast to the facile assurances of the previous
BNP-led government that there was no evidence of involvement
by government or party officials. Steps such as the
executions, continued JMB arrests, and the focus on JMB's
backers suggest the interim government is serious about
terrorism.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: JMB EXECUTED; GOB TARGETS POLITICAL PROTECTORS
REF: A. DHAKA 0520
B. DHAKA 0376
C. DHAKA 0119
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Terrorists Executed: Bangladesh (GOB) hanged six top
leaders of the militant group Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh
(JMB) on March 30, keeping execution details (time and place)
secret. Sentenced to death in September 2006 for killing two
SIPDIS
judges in 2005, the six exhausted their appeals in January
2007 and filed unsuccessful clemency petitions to President
Iajuddin Ahmed. The executed include JMB leader Sheikh Abdur
Rahman, JMB deputy, Siddiqul Islam also known as Bangla Bhai,
ruling council members Ataur Rahman Sunny, Abdul Awal, Khaled
Saifullah and Iftekhar al Mamun. Their bodies were returned
to the families under tight security. JMB member Asadul
Islam remains at large.
2. (C) Public and private reactions ranged from satisfaction
to acceptance: Abdul Wadud, a member of fundamentalist group
Alhe Hadith told us, "we are happy for their deaths because
they killed people." Criminal attorney Razzaki Farid told
poloff the legal proceedings moved "a little faster than
normal," noting that "even terrorists must have the privilege
of law." Jamaat Islami members welcomed the executions
calling JMB members "illiterate and impatient." Public
reaction was minimal; press coverage was extensive.
3. (C) Residual JMB capabilities: Since the January 11
declaration of a State of Emergency, the GOB arrested JMB
cadres further weakening an organization already undermined
by the arrests of their leaders (ref C). With supporters and
sympathizers that could number 5,000, we believe JMB remains
capable of conducting limited terrorist actions. After
clemency petitions were denied, the media reported JMB
intended to kidnap the Ambassador or other diplomats to
prevent executions or to retaliate afterwards (ref B).
4. (SBU) Arresting supporters and financial backers: On
April 1, GOB officials announced they would prosecute
political figures who support terrorists. Inspector General
of Police Noor Mohammad told media the GOB will arrest
terrorist patrons soon. Police and terror victims filed
cases against several political leaders, including former
Telecommunications Minister Aminul Haque, former Deputy
Minister of Land Ruhul "Dulu" Quddus Talukter, and former BNP
Member of Parliament Nadim Mustafa for their alleged support
and financial backing of JMB.
5. (C) Bangladesh's counterterrorist commitment: When JMB
started its activities, the USG consistently urged the GOB to
pursue JMB and their supporters. The interim government's
intention to prosecute JMB's political supporters stands in
sharp contrast to the facile assurances of the previous
BNP-led government that there was no evidence of involvement
by government or party officials. Steps such as the
executions, continued JMB arrests, and the focus on JMB's
backers suggest the interim government is serious about
terrorism.
BUTENIS