Defence seeks Huji man's acquittal

The defence counsel for Huji leader Hossain Ahmed Tamim yesterday concluded closing arguments and sought acquittal for his client from all charges in the cases filed over August 21 grenade attack.

Advocate Ehsanul Karim placed his submissions for over two hours and said his client was forced to give a confessional statement before a magistrate.

The lawyer also said three other accused gave confessional statements where they involved his client. But there are contradictions between the confessional statements given by Tamim and those by four others, including Mufti Abdul Hannan.

Judge Shahed Nuruddin of the Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 of Dhaka heard the arguments and later adjourned the hearing till February 19 and 20.

Earlier, defence lawyers for 20 others including BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, former BNP lawmaker Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad and Hanif Paribahan owner Mohammad Hanif concluded their closing arguments in the cases.

Twenty-four leaders and activists of the AL and its associate bodies were killed and over 300 others suffered splinter injuries in the August 21 attack. Ivy Rahman, the then Mohila AL president and also the wife of late president Zillur Rahman, was among the deceased. Of the 49 accused, eight, including three former inspectors general of police, are now on bail, while 18, including Tarique Rahman, are absconding.

Twenty-three accused, including former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and ex-deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, who are now behind bars, were produced before the court yesterday.