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Huge Bangladesh rally seeks death penalty for Islamists Huge Bangladesh rally seeks death penalty for Islamists
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of people are rallying in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, calling for the death penalty for Islamists on trial for war crimes.Hundreds of thousands of people are rallying in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, calling for the death penalty for Islamists on trial for war crimes.
The protests have been going on since Tuesday, when one of the accused, Abdul Kader Mullah, got a life sentence, considered by many to be too lenient.The protests have been going on since Tuesday, when one of the accused, Abdul Kader Mullah, got a life sentence, considered by many to be too lenient.
Mullah was found guilty of five out of six charges, including murder, for acts during the 1971 war of independence.Mullah was found guilty of five out of six charges, including murder, for acts during the 1971 war of independence.
His supporters have also held protests calling for his release.His supporters have also held protests calling for his release.
Four people died and many were injured in clashes between police and demonstrators from his Jamaat-e-Islami party on Tuesday evening.Four people died and many were injured in clashes between police and demonstrators from his Jamaat-e-Islami party on Tuesday evening.
They say he is the victim of a political vendetta.They say he is the victim of a political vendetta.
Bloggers and social media enthusiasts in Bangladesh are calling it the "Tahrir of Dhaka". The wide intersection next to the Dhaka University campus where two major avenues converge is actually called Shahbag.
But the events of the last few days have turned this busy intersection into the focal point of one of the biggest protests in the country's history - and the first triggered by social media.
Many people were shocked that Abdul Kader Mullah was not given the death sentence. There was anger among the youth. Some suspected an underhand deal between the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jamaat.
Others felt the prosecution was poorly prepared and did not present enough evidence for the judges to award the highest punishment available to them.
Many feared that weeks of violence aimed at the police by Jamaat cadres across the country had exerted enough pressure on the judges. Within 24 hours of the verdict, a network of bloggers called on their fellows to gather at Shahbag.
'Biggest in years''Biggest in years'
Thousands have been holding vigils in Dhaka throughout the week calling for a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and the death penalty for party leaders on trial, on the grounds that they were involved in mass killings.Thousands have been holding vigils in Dhaka throughout the week calling for a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and the death penalty for party leaders on trial, on the grounds that they were involved in mass killings.
The organisers called for a grand rally on Friday - a weekend day in Bangladesh - to urge the authorities to increase Mullah's sentence.The organisers called for a grand rally on Friday - a weekend day in Bangladesh - to urge the authorities to increase Mullah's sentence.
The news of the protest spread through social media with people calling on their friends and relatives to gather at the square.The news of the protest spread through social media with people calling on their friends and relatives to gather at the square.
The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan says there has been an unusual outpouring of feeling, with people from all walks of life - like doctors, professors and sports personalities - taking part in what is described as the biggest protest march in recent years.The BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan says there has been an unusual outpouring of feeling, with people from all walks of life - like doctors, professors and sports personalities - taking part in what is described as the biggest protest march in recent years.
Shahbag Square in Dhaka has a festive look, with people holding various cultural events as part of the protest, but many said they were unhappy with the sentence, our correspondent adds.Shahbag Square in Dhaka has a festive look, with people holding various cultural events as part of the protest, but many said they were unhappy with the sentence, our correspondent adds.
"We will not return home unless we get justice, complete justice," Shakil Ahmed, a college student, told the Associated Press."We will not return home unless we get justice, complete justice," Shakil Ahmed, a college student, told the Associated Press.
"I did not see 1971, but those who killed our people and helped Pakistani troops in their effort to halt the creation of Bangladesh should be hanged.""I did not see 1971, but those who killed our people and helped Pakistani troops in their effort to halt the creation of Bangladesh should be hanged."
Mullah, 64, the assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, was found guilty of being behind a series of killings including some large-scale massacres in the Mirpur area of Dhaka, which earned him the nickname of "koshai (butcher) of Mirpur" and made him one of the more feared Jamaat leaders.Mullah, 64, the assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, was found guilty of being behind a series of killings including some large-scale massacres in the Mirpur area of Dhaka, which earned him the nickname of "koshai (butcher) of Mirpur" and made him one of the more feared Jamaat leaders.
Last month, a former party leader, Abul Kalam Azad, was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.Last month, a former party leader, Abul Kalam Azad, was found guilty in absentia of eight charges of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.
Ten others are on trial, including eight top leaders of Jamaat and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one a former minister.Ten others are on trial, including eight top leaders of Jamaat and two members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one a former minister.
All deny the charges against them.All deny the charges against them.
Official estimates say more than three million people were killed in the 1971 war, when West Pakistan sent in its army to try to stop what was then East Pakistan from becoming an independent Bangladesh.Official estimates say more than three million people were killed in the 1971 war, when West Pakistan sent in its army to try to stop what was then East Pakistan from becoming an independent Bangladesh.