Violent clashes claim four lives across Bangladesh

The execution of a top Islamic opposition leader has sparked violent protests across Bangladesh, leaving four people dead and several others injured.

The angry protesters torched homes and businesses belonging to government supporters in several parts of the country.

The violence comes one day after Bangladesh executed Abdul Quader Molla – a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Molla was executed for his alleged crimes during the independence war with Pakistan in 1971.

The 65-year-old had always denied the charges against him.

His execution has drawn widespread condemnation from political allies and international human rights groups.

Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami party has also called for nationwide rallies on Friday to protest the killing of the Bangladeshi leader.

The execution of the senior opposition figure was carried out hours after the Supreme Court of Bangladesh dismissed his appeal for a final review.

Molla was initially sentenced to life in prison in February over allegations of war crimes. But the sentence was toughened up after he appealed against the ruling.

The Bangladeshi opposition accuses the government of seeking to silence them by putting their leaders on trial for alleged war crimes committed more than four decades ago.

Rights activists say the court’s legal procedures fall short of international standards.

Bangladeshi people have repeatedly taken to the streets in major Bangladeshi cities to voice their protest against the controversial trials of opposition leaders and activists.

Nearly 200 people have been killed and thousands wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces since the beginning of this year.

Bangladesh has experienced a turbulent history marred by military coups, bloody turmoil and natural catastrophes.