BDR trial begins in Rangamati

November 24, 2009

Trial of BDR mutineers began Tuesday in Rangamati Bangladesh Rifles sector headquarters.

Proceedings at 3pm, a BDR official in Dhaka said.

The bloody Feb 25-26 rebellion by the border guards at Dhaka headquarters and some other places left at least 73 people, 57 of them army officers, dead. Mutinous soldiers hurriedly dumped the bodies of dozens of senior officers into shallow graves and sewers

“The trial will begin at Special Court-4 under the BDR Act,” BDR deputy director general Brig Gen Obaidul Haque, said.

“Only the trial of BDR mutineers will be held at this court,” he said at a press conference held at the BDR headquarters at Peelkhana in Dhaka.

According to the BDR Act, the BDR director general will chair the court and two others officers having ranks equal to major general and lieutenant colonel will also be there.

A representative, nominated by the attorney general, will give legal assistance to the court.

In addition, an accused can defend himself where he can take help from a BDR official or a lawyer.

The trial of other mutiny suspects will be held under other special courts, Haque said.

On Nov 15, the government formed six special courts, including two in Dhaka, to try some 3,500 border guards so far arrested.

The special courts will only judge the mutiny cases, a BDR statement had said.

Rangamati BDR headquarters commander Col Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman said the bench to try local suspects has been set up at their headquarters.

Thirty-nine border guards have so far been arrested and accused in three separate BDR mutiny cases with Longdu, Baghaichharhi and Barkal Upazila in Rangamati district.

All preparations have been completed to perform the trial smoothly, Rahman said.

The accused will be placed before the court on Wednesday after the charges are read out on the first day, he added.

BDR officials, who preferred not to be named, said the court will begin at 3pm and end at 6pm on Tuesday.

Five BDR members of Rifles Battalion-12 at Rajnagag in Longdu Upzila will be put on trial on Wednesday

Eighteen BDR members of 9 Rifles Battalion at Marishya in Baghaichhari Upazila, 16 others of 18 Rifles Battalion in Barkal Upzila will be later brought before the court.

BDR trial begins in Rangamati

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