Tarique's lawyer starts arguments in Aug 21 case

The state-appointed counsel for BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday started placing arguments for his fugitive client in the August 21 grenade attack case of 2004.

Advocate AKM Akhter Hossain started his part of arguments around 1:40pm and continued till the end of yesterday's hearing. Judge Shahed Nur Uddin of Dhaka First Speedy Trial Tribunal later adjourned the hearing till today as the defence failed to conclude it yesterday.

Tarique's counsel from the defence claimed that his client was not guilty and his inclusion as an accused was motivated.

Earlier in the morning, advocate Mainuddin Miah, counsel for Abdul Hannan alias Mawlana Sabbir, concluded arguments for his client.

On earlier occasions, counsels for Hanif Paribahan owner Md Hanif, Md Khalil, Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Haris Chowdhury, Anisul Mursalin, Jahangir Alam Badar, Ratul Ahmed Babu, Mohibul Mottakin, Mawlana Liton alias Jubayer, Mufti Shafikur Rahman, Md Iqbal, and Mawlana Tazuddin concluded placing arguments for their respective clients.

Earlier, the prosecution in their closing arguments pleaded for maximum punishment for the accused in the trial.

"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," Chief Prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman said.

According to the prosecution, the conspiracy behind the attack was hatched at Hawa Bhaban, Tarique's so called political office in Banani.

"Meetings were held at that office in Tarique's presence and the then administration extended help to the attackers following the meetings," he added.

The prosecution on December 27 in 2017, concluded their 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 including Ivy Rahman, the then Mohila Awami League President and wife of late President Zillur Rahman, and injuring 500 others.

"Besides, Pakistan intelligence agency ISI and the then BNP-Jamaat alliance government orchestrated the attack. The then government used home ministry, DGFI, NSI and Bangladesh Police in executing the conspiracy," he added.