Bangladesh sentences 152 to death for 2009 mutiny

AP

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A court in Bangladesh has sentenced 152 people to death for their actions in a 2009 border guard mutiny in which 74 people, including 57 military commanders, were killed.

Dhaka's Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman also sentenced 157 others, mostly border guards, to life in prison while 271 people were acquitted. The extensive case involves 846 accused, and Tuesday's announcement has yet to be completed.

The mutiny on Feb. 25-26, 2009, took place two months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took office. The influential military was unhappy over the response of the government, which did not allow troops to attack the border guards' headquarters in Dhaka where military commanders were killed.

Human rights groups have criticized Bangladesh for such a mass trial, saying it will not ensure justice.