DHAKA: Rebellious members of various departments, recording and Rifles Sports Board of the BDR headquarters were put to trial Wednesday on charges of involvement in the mass mutiny in the border force.   

The special court-6 set up at Pilkhana started the trial proceedings, with BDR Director-General Major-General Rafiqul Islam leading the panel of judges.

A total of 73 people, including 57 army officers deputed to the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles, were killed during the mutiny at the BDR headquarters on February 25-26 in 2009.

On November 15 last year, the government formed six special courts, including two in Dhaka, for trying the suspected mutineers under the BDR Act.

In the event of a conviction, the maximum penalty for rebellion under the BDR Act is seven years in jail.

Special tribunals in Rangamati, Satkhira, Feni, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon and Sunamganj have already given verdicts.
 
Sentences of varying prison terms, including seven years in jail, have been given against some BDR members proved guilty.

Trial for the killings, looting and other crimes committed during the mutiny is being conducted separately under the existing criminal law.

BDST: 1321 HRS AUGUST 4, 2010