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B'desh jails teachers for inciting student unrest
04 Dec 2007 14:13:35 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds law adviser's comment)

DHAKA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A Bangladesh court sentenced four university teachers to two years in jail on Tuesday for inciting violent student unrest in August that caused the army-backed government to impose curfews in major cities.

"Each of the four teachers of the Rajshahi University was convicted ... and sentenced to two years in prison," a court registrar told reporters. "The court found them guilty for inciting the unrest."

The university is located in Rajshahi city, some 300 km (187 miles) northwest of the capital Dhaka.

"The verdict has proved that none, even the teachers are above law," Mainul Husein, law adviser to the interim government told reporters. "This will help discourage teachers from indulging in politics."

Each professor was ordered to pay a fine of 1,000 taka ($14.50) or serve another month in jail.

Four teachers at Dhaka University, the country's biggest, are being tried on similar charges by another court, officials said.

The four have been detained for allegedly instigating student unrest in the capital. Dozens of students were also arrested over the violence.

A man was killed in Rajshahi and several hundred were injured there and in other cities as students fought battles with police, in defiance of a state of emergency in force since January.

Authorities ordered an indefinite curfew in Dhaka and five other cities in late August, following violence sparked by an alleged assault on some students by troops during a football match on the Dhaka University campus.

The curfew was lifted after a few days, but all major universities in the six cities remained closed for up to two months.

Nearly 200 students wearing black gags across their mouths and carrying placards staged a silent rally near the office of the vice-chancellor at the Dhaka university demanding release of their detained teachers and colleagues.

Witnesses said the placards read "free teachers and students," and "stop prosecution against them on false charges". (Reporting by Nizam Ahmed; Writing by Anis Ahmed; Editing by Alex Richardson)


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Last updated:Tue Dec 4 14:12:28 2007