Khulna: A tribunal on Wednesday convicted nine people and sentenced them to life term imprisonment for killing journalist Manik Saha in 2004.

The lifers are Sumon alias Nruzzaman, Bulbul alias Bulu, Akram alias Bomaru Akram, Ali Akbar Shikdar alias Shaon, Mithu, Sarwar, Sattar, Belal and Shawkat Hossain.

Of the accused, Sattar, Belal and Shawkat were tried in absentia.

The tribunal also fined them Tk 10,000 each, in default, to suffer one year more rigorous imprisonment.

Besides, the tribunal acquitted all the 10 accused in a case filed under the Explosive Substance Act in connection with the murder.

According to the prosecution, Manik Saha, former bureau chief of Daily Sangbad and former president of Khulna Press Club, was killed in a bomb attack by some miscreants near Khulna Press Club on January 15, 2004.

On January 17, 2004, Ranjit Kumar, a sub-inspector of Khulna Police Station, filed a murder case against 11 people in this connection while another case was filed under the Explosive Substance Acts on March 19, 2004.

After examining the records and witnesses, Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge MA Rob Hawladar handed down the verdict while acquitted two others as allegation brought against them could not be proved.