Dhaka, Oct 10 (Just News): Acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman has been illegally and unfairly sentenced to life imprisonment in the verdict of the August 21 grenade attack case, defence lawyer Sanaullah Mia has claimed.
"No witnesses from Hawa Bhaban [the political office of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia] came forward and confessed to Tarique Rahman’s affiliation with the grenade attack," he told reporters, after Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal delivered the verdict around 11:50pm on Wednesday.
"No one from Abdus Salam Pintu's house came forward either," he said.
Sanaullah said Mufti Hannan had withdrawn the confession he gave against Tarique Rahman “after being remanded for 400 days.”
"We want justice," he said.
When reporters asked whether the defence will appeal in the High Court for Tarique's bail, Sanaullah said the appeal will be filed after Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh.
"It should be remembered that Mufti Hannan and the others were arrested based on the investigations conducted under the charge-sheet filed during the BNP government," he said.
"Witnesses provided confessions based on the same investigation. And no witnesses have confessed to Tarique, Pintu, Babar, Haris' involvement in the plan to carry out the attack."
Sanaullah claimed Tarique Rahman has been working towards securing democracy and establishing the rule of law in the country ever since the beginning of his political career.
"This government has been working to tear apart the BNP family for the last 10 years," he said.
(Justnews/ys/2110hr)
