Dhaka, Oct 10 (Just News): The BNP has described the verdict over the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally as ‘politically motivated’.
The party announced a weeklong demonstration across Bangladesh protesting the verdict.
On Wednesday, a Dhaka court convicted the party’s Acting Chief Tarique Rahman in the 14-year-old incident. He has been given life in prison along with 18 others.
Former BNP ministers, Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu are among the 19 people who have been awarded the death penalty.
“We reject this verdict,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media soon after the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal delivered its verdict.
“It’s a politically motivated verdict, which is nothing but a vengeance of the ruling party,” he told the press conference at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “Following the incident, the then-BNP government filed the case and opened investigation.
“The government also allowed the US intelligence agency Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Interpol to join the investigation,” he added.
The senior BNP leader claimed that the BNP government also launched a judicial probe to ensure a fair trial over the Aug 21 grenade attack.
“Names of Tarique Rahman or BNP leaders were mentioned nowhere in these investigations as well as the probe during the 1/11 military-backed regime.”
“Even Sheikh Haisna, whose statement was recorded under Section 161 as well as the 62 witnesses did not mention Tarique Rahman or any other BNP leaders,” Mirza Fakhrul said.
Mirza Fakhrul claimed the AL brought investigator Abdul Kahhar Akanda back from retirement after it assumed office in 2009 in an effort to divert the investigation.
CID Special Superintendent Akanda, who reportedly sought Awami League’s ticket for the 2008 election after retirement, was tasked with to reinvestigate the Aug 21 grenade attack cases.
Fakhrul claimed that new investigator tortured Mufti Hannan and made him confess against Tarique, which Hannan withdrew later.
No other witnesses also gave statement against Tarique that proves the BNP leader has no involvement in the grenade attack.
“Life term for Tarique proved there is no chance for people to get justice,” said Mirza Fakhrul.
Protesting the verdict, the party called a weeklong demonstration across the country.
BNP will stage demonstrations at all cities, districts, and upazilas on Thursday (Oct 11)
Its front body Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will bring out protest precession across Bangladesh on Oct 13 while Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal on Oct 14, Jatiyatabadi Secha Sebok Dol on Oct 15.
The party will bring out procession wearing black badges on Oct 16 while its woman front Mohila Dal and workers’ body Sramik Dal will hold human chains on Oct 17 and Oct 18 respectively.
(Justnews/ys/2110hr)
