The convicts are Russel Kabir Roman, Manik Ahmed Khan, Shantu Habib Bidyut, Sharfaraz Uddin Karzon, Tajuddin Titu, Abu Raihan Rana, Omar Faruq Russell and Selim Khan. All are aged between 18 and 24 years.

Of the convicts Selim has been absconding while seven others were on bail. The court cancelled their bails and sent them to Dhaka Central Jail.

Judge Nazrul Islam of the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court handed down the sentence in a packed courtroom.

Following the verdict the seven convicts and their relatives present in the courtroom broke down in tears.

Rifat, youngest brother of Ha-Meem Group Managing Director AK Azad, was killed on January 27, 1997. His body was recovered the next morning from the railway track at Mohakhali.

Rifat's brother Ismail Hossain filed a case with Cantonment Police Station. The charge sheet of the case was submitted against the eight accused on January 7, 1998 and charges were framed against them on May 7, 2000.