Death sentences for school massacre in Pakistan

The sentences are the first known convictions for the Taliban massacre of 134 children at an army-run school in Peshawar last December.

The military said that they were civilians who were convicted of aiding six gunmen who attacked the army school. They all confessed before the court, according to a statement from the military's press wing.

Parliament in January approved military courts to try accused militants because the government argued that civilians were afraid to convict them.

"The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal formalities and offering/providing them legal aid and defence councils," the statement said.

"Today, the sentences of death have been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff." It added that the condemned had the right to a hearing before a court of appeals.

Following a legal challenge on parliament's decision in January, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled last week that closed military courts are legal and can pass death sentences on civilians. It is a judgment that critics say further strengthens the military's grip on power at the expense of civilian authorities.

According to the law ministry, military courts have heard the cases of at least 100 militants since January. However, little information has been released on the identity of any suspects or convicts, nor charges and evidence against them.

av/jr (Reuters, DPA)