DHAKA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven Islamist militants, including their chief, were sentenced to death for killing two judges in southern Bangladesh by a court in Jhalkathi town on Monday.

    Jamantul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman, his second-in-command Bangla Bhai and five others were blamed for a series of bombing on August 17 last year and suicide bomb attacks that killed 28 persons, including two judges in southern Jhaikathi town on November 14 last year, television reported.

    The judges were blown up through suicide bomb attacks while they were going to their workplace by a vehicle.

    One of the suicide attackers was also killed during the attack.

    This is the first case in which Rahman and Bangla Bhai were sentenced to death as they were the masterminds of August 17 countrywide bombings in which they exploded nearly 500 bombs and suicide attacks.

    The JMB chief Rahman, who was arrested on March 2 from northeastern Sylhet wanted to establish rule in this third largest Muslim country. Bangla Bhai was arrested on March 6 from northern Mymensingh.

    After delivering the verdict, Rahman and Bangla Bhai was quoted by their lawyer as saying they shouted, "we are the holy warrior and we are not afraid of death." Enditem