DHAKA, Nov 26, 2019 (BSS) – The prosecution in the case lodged over
horrific militant attack at the capital’s Holey Artisan Bakery in 2016 wants
maximum punishment for all the eight accused in the trial, saying it would
play an important role in curbing militancy in the country.
“We hope the tribunal would give maximum punishment to all the accused
as we believe the prosecution have been able to prove the case against them
beyond any reasonable doubt,” Dhaka metropolitan public prosecutor Abdullah
Abu told BSS.
Abu further said the maximum punishment for the accused in the case
would play an important role in curbing militancy in the country, by creating
a sense of fear among the militants and like-minded people.
Dhaka Anti-terrorism Special Tribunal is scheduled to pronounce
judgement in the case tomorrow, almost three and a half years after the
grisly militant attack that claimed lives of 20 innocent people, most of them
foreigners, in the attack carried out on July 1, 2016.
Another prosecution counsel Golam Sarwar Khan Zakir too hoped that the
tribunal would convict the accused and award them death, adding, “The
prosecution has been able to prove the case based on the witnesses and
evidences examined.”
Judge Md Mujibur Rahman of Dhaka Anti-terrorism Special Tribunal on
November 17 set tomorrow to pass judgement in the case as both prosecution
and defence concluded their arguments in the case on that day.
Meanwhile, law enforcing agencies have taken special security measures
marking tomorrow’s judgement in this sensational case as they are planning to
set up cordons in and around the court area from tonight.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s additional commissioners Mir Rezaul Alam and
Krishna Podo Roy inspected the area this afternoon and gave necessary
directions to police’s Lalbagh division and DC prosecution.
Confirming the matter to BSS, deputy commissioner (DC) prosecution Jafar
Hossain said the two senior police officials have gave them necessary
directions.
“Although we are not expecting any untoward incident on the judgement
day, but we would be fully prepared any way,” he said.
Officer in-charge (OC) of Dhaka metropolitan court lockup Moinul Islam
said they would take special measures in bringing and taking away the accused
to and from the court.
A total of 113 out of 211 witnesses have testified in the case.
Two police officials valiantly laid down their lives while trying to
save people during the militant attack. Later, five militants were killed in
a commando operation.
Police filed the case under the anti-terror act with Gulshan Police
Station. The trial initiated on November 26, 2018 by framing charges against
the eight accused– Jahangir Alam alias Rajib Gandhi, Rakibul Hasan Regan,
Rashedul Islam alias Rash, Sohel Mahfuz, Mizanur Rahman alias Boro Mizan,
Hadisur Rahman Sagar, Shariful Islam and Mamunur Rashid.