Michael Chakma gets 8 years in extortion case

A court in Rangamati has sentenced United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) organiser Michael Chakma to eight years in prison for extortion.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Tawhidul Haque passed the order on Wednesday (October 8).

Another accused, Suman Chakma, received the same sentence.

According to court sources, Michael and Suman Chakma were arrested by security forces on October 30, 2007. Weapons and cash were recovered from them, and a case was filed at Longadu Police Station under charges of extortion and terrorist activities.

Court official Prasadev Chakma confirmed the verdict and said both convicts were absent during the judgment.

Reacting to the verdict, UPDF spokesperson Niron Chakma claimed on Facebook that Michael had been missing for over five years and was tortured. He questioned the fairness of the verdict.