3 Biman pilots sacked
Bangladesh Biman has retired one DC-10 pilot and fired two others, including its first female commander.
Capt. Ishfaqur Rahman was retired after 25 years of services, while Rahman's wife, Yasmeen, and Capt. Ansar were fired "in public interest," said a Biman source.
Biman notified the pilots of its decision on January 11. The couple have been grounded since August 16, 1996, while Capt. Ansar was grounded in November 1998.
Mosharaf Hossain, minister for civil aviation, told the BBC there were "specific charges" against the pilots but refused to elaborate "in the interest of the state."
Yasmeen Rahman is the sister of Lt. Col. Faruqur Rahman, one of 15 former military officer sentenced to death in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case by the District and Sessions Judge of Dhaka on November 8, 1998.
Capt. Ansar is the brother of Capt. Najmul Ansar, who was also sentenced to death and is believed to be living in Canada.
BSS adds: National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has fired three pilots on suspicion of their involvement in a plot to free the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Biman officials said the pilots were fired in the interest of public security following intelligence reports about their activities.
Biman's action coincides with a prosecution move yesterday for a hearing and confirmation of the death sentences.
Capt. Yasmin Rahman told UNB over the phone that "we don't know why the authority terminated me. I couldn't fly for the last three years, since the authority grounded me when I returned from Hong Kong.
"My husband filed an appeal against the grounding order and won, but I didn't file an appeal."
Capt. Rahman said the termination letter she received on January 11 didn't cite the reason for her dismissal.
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