Prosecution happy with verdict

The prosecution has expressed their satisfaction over the verdict that awarded death penalty to seven militants in Holey Artisan Café attack case.

After the verdict was announced around 12:15pm, Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told reporters that they are satisfied over the judgement but they also expressed concern as one of the accused was acquitted of the charge.

“We will come to know the reason behind his acquittal after the full verdict will be released,” he said.

“We will take decision in this regard after the release of the full judgement,” the public prosecutor said.

Seven militants were sentenced to death for their involvement in 2016 Holey Artisan attack that left 22 people, including 17 foreigners, dead.

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.

Another accused Mizanur Rahman alias Boro Mizan was acquitted from the case as allegations brought against them could not be proved.

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.

The five gunmen, who held the diners hostage and were killed inside the upscale bakery in a commando operation launched to end the siege, are Nibrash Islam, Mir Sabeh Mubashir and Rohan Ibne Imtiaz, Khairul Islam Payel and Shafiqul Islam Uzzal.