RAJSHAHI: Fourteen out of 20 death-row convicts of the sensational Gama Killing case were freed from jails under a presidential amnesty on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Ten of them were set free from Dhaka Central Jail on Monday midnight and four freed from Rajshahi

Central Jail on Tuesday morning following the presidential pardon. “The remaining six prison inmates would be freed after bail, as they were implicated in other cases also,” said one jail official.

All of those released are the leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League from Natore.

Another condemned fugitive from the case, Akbar Ali, was not considered for the mercy of the President.

Those released from Dhaka Central Jail are SM Firoz, Anisur Rahman Ansar, Badol, Sentu, Abdul Jalil, Shahjahan, Fazlul Haque Shah, Faisal, Faruk and Jahedul. Jahurul Islam Shah, Sohag Shah, Bablu and Farmajul walked to freedom from Rajshahi Central Jail in the morning.

The waiting prisoners are Abul Hossain, Ataur Rahaman, Ashraf, Sazzad Shah, Fakaruddin and Ohidur
Rahman.

Judge Firoj Alam of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal gave the death sentence to 21 leaders and activists of Awami League of Naldanga on charge of Gama murder on August 24, 2006.

Some miscreants killed Sabbir Ahmed Gama, nephew of former Deputy Minister for Land Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, on February 07, 2004.

Rafiqul Islam Talukder, father of Gama, filed the case with Naldangha Thana on February 8 against
16 suspects, including SM Firoj, Naldanga Thana Awami League General Secretary, by name. Another 15/16 anonymous persons were also implicated in the case.

The convicts prayed for mercy from the President on April 15 this year through the Home Ministry and the head of state exonerated them on September 2.

BDST: 1541 HRS, SEPTEMBER 07, 2010.