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UK journalist guilty of querying Bangladesh death toll UK journalist guilty of querying Bangladesh death toll
(35 minutes later)
A court in Bangladesh has found a British man guilty of contempt for challenging the official death toll from the 1971 war of independence.A court in Bangladesh has found a British man guilty of contempt for challenging the official death toll from the 1971 war of independence.
Judges said a 2011 blog post by David Bergman deliberately distorted history.Judges said a 2011 blog post by David Bergman deliberately distorted history.
He was ordered to pay a fine of $65 (£40). If he failed to pay that, he would be imprisoned for seven days.He was ordered to pay a fine of $65 (£40). If he failed to pay that, he would be imprisoned for seven days.
Officials say three million people died in the bloody war of independence with Pakistan. Mr Bergman said there was no evidence to support that.Officials say three million people died in the bloody war of independence with Pakistan. Mr Bergman said there was no evidence to support that.
After nine months of internal strife and a Pakistani military crackdown against Bangladeshi separatists, the intervention of India in the war was swift, brutal and decisive. It brought the conflict to an end in just 13 days.After nine months of internal strife and a Pakistani military crackdown against Bangladeshi separatists, the intervention of India in the war was swift, brutal and decisive. It brought the conflict to an end in just 13 days.
The defeat of the Pakistani army on 16 December 1971 was a triumph for India and the Bengali insurgents it had assisted.The defeat of the Pakistani army on 16 December 1971 was a triumph for India and the Bengali insurgents it had assisted.
There are different estimates for the number of people killed.There are different estimates for the number of people killed.
The Bangladeshi government has consistently said three million died, but others, including Mr Bergman, argue that figure is too high and unverifiable.The Bangladeshi government has consistently said three million died, but others, including Mr Bergman, argue that figure is too high and unverifiable.
Bangladesh independence war, 1971Bangladesh independence war, 1971
Emotional issueEmotional issue
Delivering his verdict, judge Obaidul Hassan said that freedom of expression should be exercised in "good faith and [the] public interest".Delivering his verdict, judge Obaidul Hassan said that freedom of expression should be exercised in "good faith and [the] public interest".
"David Bergman neither has good faith nor an issue of public interest," he ruled."David Bergman neither has good faith nor an issue of public interest," he ruled.
The journalist has lived in Bangladesh for 10 years. He is an editor of the Dhaka-based English language New Age newspaper.
Correspondents say the verdict underlines just how important and emotional an issue the death toll of the independence war is in Bangladesh.Correspondents say the verdict underlines just how important and emotional an issue the death toll of the independence war is in Bangladesh.
In 2010 the Awami League government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set up a special tribunal in Bangladesh to look into atrocities carried out during the war of independence.In 2010 the Awami League government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina set up a special tribunal in Bangladesh to look into atrocities carried out during the war of independence.
Last month Mir Quashem Ali, a leader of Bangladesh's largest Islamic party, became the second leader from the party to be sentenced to death for war crimes.Last month Mir Quashem Ali, a leader of Bangladesh's largest Islamic party, became the second leader from the party to be sentenced to death for war crimes.
Critics of the controversial tribunal have accused the government of using it to target political opponents. Human Rights Watch has previously said the court's procedures are not up to international standards.Critics of the controversial tribunal have accused the government of using it to target political opponents. Human Rights Watch has previously said the court's procedures are not up to international standards.
But the Awami League says it is necessary to help the country come to terms with its past.But the Awami League says it is necessary to help the country come to terms with its past.