Bangladeshi authorities have stepped up security in the capital ahead of a court verdict expected this week over the murder of the country's founding president more than three decades ago. The convicted killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was gunned down in his home with 20 members of his household in 1975, are appealing the case, which has been in limbo for more than seven years since an appeal was first lodged.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned of possible unrest following the court ruling and the case was heard amid tight security. Deputy home minister Shamsul Haq Tuku said law-enforcement agencies had been ordered to stay on "the highest alert" and security had been tightened in "sensitive places" to prevent any acts of sabotage ahead of the verdict.
Dhaka police chief Shahidul Haq told AFP extra security has been deployed in diplomatic zones, courts, key government buildings and said some individuals were getting extra protection.
"We are on alert," he said.
The Supreme Court has said it will announce on Thursday whether, following a 30-day hearing, the appeals by the five killers convicted in 2001 have been successful.
Sheikh Mujib, who led the country to independence in 1971 after a bloody war against Pakistan, was the head of the government when army officers stormed his house and brutally massacred him along with his wife and three sons.
Sheikh Mujib's two daughters, Sheikh Rehana and her older sister, current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were spared as they were out of the country.
The government has said it believes at least one of two bombs to go off in the city in the past month were linked to the trial.
A member of parliament who is also legal counsel for the state in the trial was targeted but not injured in an attack on October 21.That blast wounded at least 15 people, some seriously, while four people suffered minor injuries in a smaller bombing on November 2 in a commercial district in Dhaka. Source: AFP
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