Bangladesh shuts Islamist website after blogger murder

DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh has shut down a blog site after it was linked to the murder of a anti-Islamist blogger who helped organise protests against the leaders of the largest Islamic party, officials said on Sunday.

Blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, 35, was hacked to death near his home in the capital Dhaka Friday night after he joined a huge protest demanding the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami party leaders who are on trials for war crimes.

Police have yet to comment on a possible motive, but his brother said Haider was targeted by Jamaat's student wing for his online activities.

Fellow blogger Shakil Ahmed said a pro-Jamaat website had last week named Haider as a target.