Charged with murder again

Five years after he was pardoned by the president from death row, former Jubo League leader Aslam Fakir was accused of another murder in Faridpur's Bhanga upazila on Wednesday.

In 2015, Aslam, a convicted murderer, was granted presidential clemency. He walked out of jail two years later.

This time, a case was filed accusing him and 53 others of killing Shahid Matubbar, 36, of Laxmipur village in Manikdaha union, police said, adding that Aslam is the prime suspect.

On Tuesday, Shajahan Matubbar's supporters clashed with Aslam's supporters at Laxmipur over establishing supremacy in the area.

Shahid was killed and 20 others were injured in the clash, Bhanga police said, adding that they are looking for Aslam.

Shajahan Matubbar is a close ally of Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, lawmaker from Faridpur-4, and Aslam Fakir is a supporter of Kazi Zafarullah, presidium member of Awami League, locals said.

On September 25 in 2003, Aslam was sentenced to death for killing Manikdaha Union Parishad chairman AKM Saheb Ali Mia.

Abu Sayad Mia, chairman of Manikdaha union parishad, said Aslam often engaged in clashes and mob violence after coming out of jail.

Sub-inspector Abdullah, who is investigating the case, said police had arrested seven accused.

They told a court on Thursday that Aslam had earlier called them on the phone and asked them to take part in the clash.

While on death row, Aslam pleaded guilty to the murder and appealed to the president for mercy on May 19, 2013. On October 13, 2014, the plea was rejected and November 13, 2014, was fixed for executing his death sentence.

On November 12, Aslam started behaving in a strange manner and it appeared that he was not sane. This resulted in the suspension of the execution.

On the same day, the second petition was filed with the president on behalf of Aslam.

Aslam's sentence was commuted on February 28, 2015, and he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. After 13 years and two days of imprisonment, Aslam was released from jail, officials said.