ag3l+@andrew.cmu.edu (06/26/91)
==================================================== Arun Gupta [excerpted from FBIS-NES-91-113] [Hong Kong AFP in English 1054 GMT 12 Jun 91] [FBIS = Foreign Broadcast Information Service of the U.S. govt. ] ==================================================== Bangladesh News: =============== Dhaka, June 12 (AFP) A court here Wednesday convicted deposed Bangladesh President Hussain Mohammed Ershad of possession of illegal weapons and sentenced him to 10 years hard labour. Atty. Gen. Aminul Haque, prosecuting, said that of 16 firearms recovered from Mr. Ershad's official residence, 8 had no valid documentation or licence. Illegal possession of arms under Bangladesh's strict arms act carries a minimum of 7 years and a max. of 20 years in jail. Judge Mohammed Habibullah read the 33-page judgement, to Mr Ershad as he stood in the heavily guarded court room. Mr Ershad appeared composed as he listened to the judgement. "Look how a former president is being humiliated", he told reporters afterwards, adding, "...I will seek justice before people's court." His lawyers said they would appeal to a higher court within 30 days. Jubilation broke out as state-run radio Bangladesh announced the verdict, many praising the govt. for taking the proper steps against the former leader. Another tribunal trying Mr. Ershad on charges of corruption met Tuesday for a hearing and was adjourned to June 19. End of article ===============