8 sentenced to death for killing Awami League leader

Eight persons were today sentenced to death for brutally killing an Awami League leader 18 years ago.
The verdict was pronounced at a packed court room by judge Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court here.
The court also slapped a fine of of Taka 50,000 (USD 643.400) on each convict.
All the eight had been out of jail on bail. However, only two of them were present in the courtroom today.
The judge said the fugitives' punishment will be effective from the day of their surrender or arrest, The Daily Star reported.
Hazi Mohammad Alim, a commissioner in Lalbagh, was shot and stabbed to death at Azimpur in the capital on February 8, 1996.

On the following day of the murder, victim's brother Bodir Uddin Babla filed a murder case with Lalbagh Police Station.
According to the case statement, Alim, a local Awami League activist, was killed for protesting criminal activities committed by the convicts.
After two convicts shot Alim, the six others stabbed him to confirm his death, Hazi Nazimuddin, another brother of the victim, said quoting an eye witness.