Convict in Natore sentenced to death for murder during village arbitration

A court in Natore has sentenced the convict to death for shooting man to death 11 years ago.

On the afternoon of Oct 2 2006, Baraigram Upazila resident Umed Ali was shot three times during a village arbitration.
 
Citing court documents, Public Prosecutor Abdul Hai said Tofazzal Hossain Nizam shot him in front of at least 200 people during the arbitration over theft allegations.
 
Ali died while being taken to the local hospital.
 
The victim's family started a murder case, after which the local police pressed charges against 22 people.
 
On Wednesday, the court of additional sessions judge convicted Nizam and awarded him the death penalty.
 
It acquitted the 21 others suspects as charges against them could not be proven beyond doubt.
 
In its verdict, the court described the incident as a 'cold-blooded murder', said Prosecutor Hai.
 
"The court ordered capital punishment for the convict as it was a cold-blooded murder in front of 200 to 300 people."

Defence counsel Ariful Islam said they would challenge the decision in High Court.