JMB EXECUTED; GOB TARGETS POLITICAL PROTECTORS

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