A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday handed down death sentence to 14 Islamist terrorists for attempting to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her southwestern constituency in 2000.
"The verdict will be executed by a firing squad to set an example, unless the law barred it," Judge Abu Zafar Md Kamruzzaman of Dhaka's Speedy Trial tribunal-1 pronounced the verdict as nine of them were brought to the court from jail to face the trial in person.
Otherwise, the convicts could be hanged in line with prevailing practice, subject to the approval of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court following mandatory review of death sentences under Bangladesh law, the judge said.
All the convicts are operatives of outlawed Harkatul Jihad Bangladesh (HuJI-B).
The rest five convicts are on the run and were tried in absentia and defended by state-appointed lawyers in line with the law.
The judge ordered the verdict to be executed after their arrest or surrender.
The HuJI-B operatives had planted a 76 kilogramme bomb near a ground at Kotalipara area of southwestern Gopalganj on July 21, 2000 where PM Hasina was supposed to address an election rally.
Sheikh Hasina Takes Oath As Bangladesh PM For Fifth Term After Sheikh Hasina, Who? Meet The Heirs To Bangladesh's 'Iron Grip' PM Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina To Attend G20 Summit In Delhi Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Biden Tests Positive For Covid As Age Worries Mount Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.