Jails ready to execute Hannan, his aides

Jail authorities completed all formalities for the execution of Harkatul Jihad al Islami (Huji) chief Mufti Abdul Hannan and his two associates on orders from the home ministry yesterday.

“We have already received the presidential rejection order on mercy petitions of the three militants and taken necessary preparation for their execution,” said Col Iqbal Hassan, additional inspector general of prisons.

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Asked about the probable time of execution, he said everything would take place in accordance with the jail code. 

As per the jail code, the jail authorities can execute death sentences between 21st and 28th day from the date of issuance of death warrants.

The Sylhet Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal issued death warrants for the militants on March 22 and so today is the 21st day.

Mufti Hannan and his associate Sharif Shahedul Alam Bipul are kept in Kashimpur High Security Jail while the other, Delwar Hossain Ripon, in Sylhet Central Jail.

Officials from both the jails confirmed that they received the home ministry's execution order.

Earlier in December last year, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalties for the Huji militants, including Mufti Hannan, for carrying out a grenade attack in 2004 on the then UK envoy in Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury. 

On May 21 of the year, three people were killed and some 70 others, including Anwar Choudhury, injured in the grenade attack at a Sylhet shrine after the Juma prayer.

The Bangladesh-born British diplomat suffered minor leg injuries barely 18 days into his new assignment.

Our Gazipur and Sylhet Correspondent contributed to the report.