Bangladesh sentences 16 to death for killing teenager

A court in Bangladesh sentenced 16 people to death on Thursday over the murder of a 19-year-old female student.

Nusrat Jahan Rafi was burnt alive after refusing to withdraw a sexual harassment complaint against the headteacher of a religious school. 

In their chargesheet, the police said the murder was carried out at the principal's order.

"We are happy with the judgment," public prosecutor Hafez Ahmed told reporters.

Her tragic death had triggered a series of protests demanding the government to take adequate action against the perpetrators of the crime.