The other two are Aminul Islam alias Amin, president of Lalbagh thana unit of the Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, and Shyamal Kumar Das, an activist of Juba Dal.

Habib and Amin are in jail custody while Shyamal is absconding.

The Speedy Trial Tribunal-3, Dhaka Division, yesterday gave the verdict in a crowed courtroom. Habib and Amin were in the dock.

Judge of the tribunal Mohammad Abu Hanif read out important portions of the 10-page judgement.

The judgement said the three were found guilty of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and given 27 years' rigorous imprisonment. They will also have to pay a fine of Tk 30,000 each, in default will be in jail for one and a half years more.

The judge said all categories of people -- children, women, the old, wounded and ailing -- fell victim to those possessing illegal arms and their lives, property and security were at stake. Activities of illegal arms-holders affected the citizens' fundamental and human rights, freedom of thought and normal activities, he added.

In the arms case filed with the Lalbagh Police Station, it was alleged that the joint forces arrested the three from Iraqi Maath at New Paltan in the city's Lalbagh area on November 30 last year and recovered four pistols, one revolver and 156 rounds of ammunition from their possession.

The investigation officer of the case pressed charges against them on February 12 this year. The tribunal framed charges on June 3 and the trial began on June 6.

Six out of seven prosecution witnesses were cross-examined during the trial.

Special Public Prosecutor Nurul Iman Babul represented the state and Abdul Qayyum Khan defended the accused.