DHAKA, Jan 4, 2018 (BSS) – The defence in the August 21, 2004, grenade attack case yesterday continued placing its arguments as counsels for a couple of fugitive accused concluded their part of hearing.
Counsels for Hanif Paribahan owner Md Hanif, Md Khalil, Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Haris Chowdhury and Anisul Mursalin concluded placing arguments for their respective clients.
Judge Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka 1st Speedy Trial Tribunal then adjourned the hearing till January 9.
Earlier, the prosecution at their closing arguments pleaded for maximum punishment for the accused.
“For the sake of justice and to meet the expectation of the justice seekers, we are pleading for maximum punishment for the accused,” Chief Prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman said.
“The main aim of that barbaric attack was to eliminate the top leadership of Awami League including its president Sheikh Hasina and create a vacuum among the force in support of War of Liberation and independence,” Rahman added.
The chief prosecutor said one of the goals of the attackers was to run the activities of militant outfits like HuJI, Hijb-ul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e- Taiaba, Tehrik-e Jihad-e Islam and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) in the country.
The prosecution on December 27, 2017, concluded its arguments on facts.
The prosecution in their earlier arguments had said a total of five local and foreign militant outfits were involved in the barbaric attack, killing 24 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami League.
“Apart from these groups, Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and then BNP- Jamaat alliance government orchestrated the attack. The then government used Ministry of Home Affairs, DGFI, NSI and Bangladesh Police in executing the conspiracy,” he added.
A total of 24 AL leaders and workers including the then Mohila Awami League President and wife of late President Zillur Rahman, Ivy Rahman, were killed and 500 others were injured.