Bangladesh teachers are released

The four were in custody since August (Pic: Daily Star)

Three Dhaka university teachers found guilty of inciting violence in August have been spared a jail sentence after gaining clemency from the government.

The three were sentenced to three years in jail earlier on Tuesday, while a fourth professor was acquitted.

They were released following a clemency order which was signed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.

Correspondents say that the government did not want to upset public opinion by keeping the four in prison.

The government was also eager not to risk another showdown with the student community, correspondents say.

Although the three are now free, they can be re-arrested because of their convictions and put in custody whenever the authorities feel it is necessary.

The released academics were given a warm welcome by friends and relatives at the jail gate.

On Monday, a court cleared the four of other charges of inciting violence. Several cases against them remained, but all have now been dropped.

The four were accused of instigating violence on the university campus by urging students to protest against the imposition of an emergency by the military-backed caretaker government.

The teachers, detained since August, denied any role in the violence.

The 20-22 August demonstrations began at Dhaka university after students were allegedly beaten up by army personnel. Unrest rapidly spread to other towns in the country.

That led to the emergency government imposing a seven-day curfew.

The protests left at least one person dead and hundreds injured.

Bangladesh has been under emergency rule since January 2007.