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Holey Artisan Verdict

Satisfaction in every sphere


Published : 27 Nov 2019 09:29 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 10:14 PM

Ministers, civil society members, government high ups and common people expressed satisfaction over the verdict of the horrific militant attack on the capital’s Holey Artisan Bakery in 2016 that left 20 innocent people, most of them foreigners, dead. Earlier in the afternoon, a special tribunal in the city in its verdict awarded seven out of a total eight accused persons the death sentence Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque, and Attorney General Mahbubey Alam termed the verdict epoch-making, while expecting its immediate implementation.

Besides, the prosecution also expressed satisfaction over the verdict. “We are satisfied over the judgement. Simultaneously, we are also concerned as one of the accused was acquitted of the charge,” after the verdict Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told journalists on the spot. He said, they will come to know the reason behind his acquittal after the full verdict is released.

“After the release of the full judgement, we will decide in this regard judgement,” he added. Citing the verdict as exemplary, AK Abdul Momen in an immediate response said, “The verdict will play an important role in preventing terrorism. We brought those terrorists under trial. In Europe-America, such extremists are hanged to death immediately. Yes, we also killed some of them during the drive and set an example by judging the rest of them”.

Mahbubey Alam termed the verdict epoch-making. After the verdict, while talking to journalists in his office, he said, “The Holey Artisan attack diminished the country’s image greatly. Today’s verdict proved that our country has its rule of law, and thus has restored our image in the world”.

“This judgement is also a warning to the existing militant groups. This is certainly a breakthrough in combating militancy,” he added. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs minister Anisul Hoque expressing satisfaction over the verdict at a press briefing at his secretariat office said, “During the Holy Artisan attack, there were different nation’s citizens. Besides them, law enforcers also lost their valuable lives to prevent the untoward situation. Among the 21 accused, five were killed during the operation, later in different drives eight were killed. Rest eight faced trial, where seven accused were awarded death sentences and one was acquitted by the court”.

“We are satisfied over the verdict that we are able to finish such staggering cases that shake the country to its roots. During the incident on July 2016, the Prime Minister frankly said all criminals would be brought under punishment. The verdict confirmed her authenticity”. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwary in a reply to journalists at Police Headquarters said, “Police are satisfied with the verdict that the court has given death sentence to accused seven people”.

He said, “We got our deserved result as our investigation officers relentlessly continued their investigation activities. We will observe the judgment of the court and appeal against the person who was acquitted”. The seven death-row convicts -- Jahangir Hossain, Aslam Hossain Rash, Hadisur Rahman, Rakibul Hasan Regan, Md Abdus Sabur Khan, Shariful Islam Khaled and Mamunur Rashid Ripon – were also fined Tk 50,000 each.

On July 1, 2016, armed militants stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery at the diplomatic zone in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. The grisly terror attack left 22 people dead. Two police officers were also killed during the 12-hour standoff that followed.