DHAKA,  – The High Court (HC) today upheld death sentences of five militants in a case lodged over murder of Jhalakathi public prosecutor (PP) Advocate Haider Hossain in 2007.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Soumendra Sarker and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the order after holding hearing on jail
appeals of the convicts and death reference in the case.

Deputy attorney general Bashir Ahmed took part in the hearing for the state, while SM Shahjahan, SM Mahbubul Islam and Mohinur Rahman moved the jail appeals. Advocate Asadur Rahman, on the other hand, defended the fugitives as state appointed defence counsel.

The five convicts are- Aminul Islam alias Amir Hossain, Abu Shahadat Tanvir, Murad Hossain, Bellal Hossain and Sogir Hossain. Of the five, Bellal
and Sogir are yet to be arrested. Jhalakathi Additional District and Sessions Judge Court on February 11, 2015, sentenced the five to death.

Jhalakathi Additional District and Sessions Judge Court on May 29, 2006, sentenced seven militants including then JMB chief Shayekh Abdur Rahman and Siddikur Rahman Bangla Bhai in a case filed over murder of Judge Sohel Ahammed and Jagannath Pare in 2005.

Advocate Haider Hossain took part in the case for the state as public prosecutor. After 20 days of the execution of death sentences of Abdur Rahman
and Bangla Bhai, militants shot and killed Haider Hossain.