Judges Mohammad Ruhul Amin and A

Judges Mohammad Ruhul Amin and A.B.M. Khairul Haque of Bangladesh's High Court confirmed the death sentence on 10 ex-army officers for killing the country's independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 but left undecided the fate of five others. Amin said the five others should be acquitted, but Haque did not agree. Lawyers said the fate of the five would now be decided by Chief Justice Mohammad Latifur Rahman. The 10 on whom death sentences were confirmed are Lieutenant-Colonels Sayed Farookur Rahman, Sultan Shahriyar Rashid Khan, Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, A.M. Rashed Chowdhury, A.K.M. Mohiuddin, Noor Chowdhury and Abdul Aziz Pasha, Major Mohammad Bazlul Huda and Captain Abdul Majed. Awaiting a decision by the Chief Justice are Lt.-Col. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Maj. Ahmed Shariful Hossain, and Captains Mohammad Kismat Hashem, Nazmul Hossain Ansar and Risalder Moslemuddin. Eleven of the 15 were tried in absentia and police said only four were now in custody. The four in custody include three against whom death sentences were confirmed - Sayed Farookur Rahman, Sultan Shariyar Rashid Khan and Bazlul Huda. The fourth is Mohiuddin Ahmed. Mujibbur supporters angered by the split verdict staged a violent protest in which one man was killed and at least 20 were injured, witnesses and police said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Bangladeshis to remain calm and have patience.