Attach assets of fugitives

A special tribunal in Habiganj yesterday ordered attaching the assets of the accused on the run, including Harris Chowdhury, in the SAMS Kibria murder case.

Judge Atab Ullah passed the order after yesterday's hearing in the case, Public Prosecutor Sirajul Islam told The Daily Star.

Five people, including Kibria, were killed and 70 others injured in a grenade attack on a public meeting held by Awami League at Baidder Bazar in Sadar upazila on January 27, 2005.

On June 2 last year, the case was transferred to Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal from the Habiganj Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court for its quick disposal.

On September 13, the court framed charges against BNP leaders Lutfozzaman Babar and Harris Chowdhury and 30 others in the case. Among the 32 accused, 22 including Babar and suspended Sylhet city mayor Ariful Haq Chowdhury were produced before the court on that day.

Eight of the accused are on bail, while 10 others, including Harris, political secretary of the then prime minister Khaleda Zia, have been absconding.