9 given life term for killing journo Manik Saha

Khulna Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge MA Rab Hawlader gave the verdict on Wednesday afternoon. They were also fined Tk10,000 each. In default, they will have to serve one year extra in jail. The nine convicts are Shomon alias Nuruzzaman, Ali Akbar alias Shaon, Bulbul alias Bulu, Akram Hossain alias Boma Akram, Sattar alias Disco Sattar, Belal, Mithun, Sarwar alias Sorow, Safayet alias Showkat alias Saka. The court acquitted two others accused in the case: Omor Faruk alias Kochi; and Hye Islam alias Kochi. The court also acquitted 10 of them in another explosive case filed over the same incident. The January 15, 2004 killing of Manik Saha in a bomb attack near Khulna Press Club led to widespread protests around the country from different political, cultural and journalists' organisations. The trial for his murder opened in June 2008 against 14 people. Of them, three were killed in 'gunfights' with law enforcers while six absconded.