Defence seeks Duke, Arif's acquittal

The defence lawyers for Saiful Islam Duke, nephew of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and Arifur Rahman Arif, a former ward commissioner of Dhaka City Corporation, yesterday sought acquittal of their clients from the August 21 grenade attack case. 

The lawyers made the prayer while completing closing arguments in the case filed over the attack on an Awami League rally in 2004. 

Advocate Abdur Rezak Khan, Duke's lawyer, said since the charges brought against his client, now on bail, of helping Huji leader Moulana Tajuddin to flee the country could not be proved, he should be acquitted of all charges.

Advocate Abdus Sobhan Tarafdar, Arif's lawyer, also demanded his acquittal as the prosecution has failed to prove the charges. Later, Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 set June 5 and 6 for the next hearing.

Earlier, lawyers for 40 other accused, including Tarique Rahman, completed arguments and sought their acquittal.