Jamaat leader’s death sparks protest in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Thousands of furious protesters chanting anti-government slogans marched in Bangladesh on Monday hours after a leader of the Jamaat-i-Islami died of a heart attack aged 83.

Delwar Hossain Saye­dee, the Jamaat’s vice president, died in a prison hospital on Monday evening, just over a decade since his conviction by a controversial war crimes court triggered the deadliest political violence in the country’s history.

Thousands of mourners and supporters of Delwar Sayedee rallied outside the hospital after his death, chanting “Allahu akbar”.

“We won’t let the blood of Sayedee go in vain,” supporters shouted, with many blaming the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which is preparing for general elections slated for January.

Hospital authorities said Sayedee was admitted to the health facility after suffering a heart attack in a prison outside Dhaka on Sunday.