Sunday Times 2
Blogger’s death rekindles anti-Islamist protests in Bangladesh
View(s):DHAKA, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Bangladeshi protesters, angered by the killing of one of their leaders, poured back onto the streets of the capital today to demand the death penalty for those found guilty of war crimes in the 1971 independence conflict.
The demonstrators, who denounce a life sentence handed down this month on an Islamist leader involved in the war, reversed a decision to scale back demonstrations, now in their 12th day. Rajib Haider, an architect, was a key figure in organising the demonstrations and wrote a blog devoted to them. He was attacked outside his home on Friday night after returning from a 100,000-strong rally in Shahbag Square.
Haider’s family told reporters he was stabbed to death for standing up to Islamists and drawing people to the protests. Police said they had detained five suspects. By mid-afternoon, some 50,000 had massed on Shahbag square. More than twice that number were expected later, with Haider’s body expected to brought to the square for funeral prayers.
“Haider’s death has rekindled our spirits,” said Nasiruddin Yusuf, a film-maker. “It will not go in vain.” Large protests gripped other cities. Security forces patrolled streets in much greater numbers than in previous days.
The protests were triggered by the life sentence imposed on Abdul Quader Mollah, assistant secretary-general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party. Most Bangladeshis had expected a death sentence on charges of murder, rape and torture.
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