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Global

Bangladesh executes Islamist leader for 1971 war crimes


    DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh executed Islamist opposition leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman on Saturday for war crimes committed during the 1971 war to break away from Pakistan, a move that risks an angry reaction from his supporters.

    Kamaruzzaman, 63, of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was hanged at Dhaka Central Jail after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against a death sentence imposed by a special tribunal for genocide and torture of civilians during the conflict.

    His party last week has called for a general strike and protests against the sentence. The Border Guard Bangladesh paramilitary force has been deployed across the country.

    (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)