Dhaka: In a historic judgement, a Court in Dhaka today (Oct 20, 2004) sentenced three Bangladeshis to death for their role in the killings of four national leaders inside the Dhaka Central Jail 29 years ago.

Twelve others were given life imprisonment and five politicians were acquitted.

Judge Motiur Rahman of the Dhaka district and sessions court delivered the verdict at a crowded courtroom amid tight security around the court complex.

The judge in his verdict ordered three accused to be hanged, 12 to life imprisonment and acquitted five prominent politicians, Taheruddin Thakur, former ministers Obaidur Rahman, a ruling party MP Shah Moazzem Hossain, Nurul Islam Monjur and retired Army major Kahiruzzaman, now serving in the Foreign Ministry.

Earlier, the verdict was scheduled to be delivered on September 7, but was deferred twice.

Four close associates of Bangladesh's first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - Nazrul Islam, the acting President of the Bangladesh Government in exile, his Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed along with ministers Monsur Ali and A H M Quamruzzaman were gunned down inside the Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, 1975 following coups and counter coups.

The killings took place soon after Sheikh Mujib, who led the country's struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971, was assassinated in a coup along with more than 20 members of his family.

The trial has long been entangled in repeated interventions by different Governments and various judicial knots.