Bangladesh border guards go on trial for mutiny

The mutinous border guards are accused of a 'conspiracy'

The trial has begun in Bangladesh of border guards accused of taking part in a mutiny in which dozens of army officers were killed earlier this year.

A three-member special court headed by the chief of the Bangladesh Rifles began trying nine men at a base in the south-east town of Rangamati.

Nearly 4,000 other border guards are to be tried across the country.

During the February uprising 74 people, most of them officers, were killed by troops unhappy with pay and conditions.

'Conspiracy'

The nine Bangladesh Rifles men are the first to stand trial over the February uprising and are charged with mutiny.

At least 57 army officers were killed in the mutiny

Some 3,500 other border guards from across the country will be tried in the coming months.

Several hundred more, accused of murder, rape and looting, will be tried separately in civilian courts at a later date.

The BBC's Mark Dummett in Dhaka says the trials will be closely followed by Bangladeshis, who are keen to know what provoked the rebellion.

Many things about it remain a mystery.

During their revolt, the soldiers said they were protesting over pay and the corruption of officers.

But the government accused them of being part of a wider conspiracy.

It is not clear what sort of evidence investigators have so far been able to unearth to make this case, our correspondent says.

They have been accused of torturing suspects, and dozens of the mutineers have died in detention.