A court has sentenced five accused to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Khulna Daily Janmabhoomi editor, Khulna Press Club president and Ekushey Medal-winning journalist Humayun Kabir Balu.

The court also fined them Tk 10,000 each to the convicted.

The verdict was on Monday (January 18).

After the verdict, the convicted accused Zahid, Naju alias Ripon, Rimon and Swadhin were taken to jail from the court. The other accused is a fugitive.

On June 26, 2004, journalist Balu was killed in a terrorist attack in front of the Daily Janmabhoomi office at Shantidham corner of Khulna city. The day after the murder (June 26, 2004), the then Sub-Inspector (SI) of Khulna Police Station Maruf Ahmed filed two cases under the murder and explosives section.

The court acquitted seven accused in the murder case on February 13, 2008.