HC accepts convicts’ appeals for hearing

The High Court yesterday accepted for hearing appeals filed by the convicted accused of the sensational August 21 grenade attack cases.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman also stayed the part of the trial court verdict that fined the convicts of the cases.

The bench passed the order as the appeals filed by the convicts, who are now in jail, were included in its cause list, Assistant Attorney General Md Yousuf Mahmud Morshed told The Daily Star.

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'State-backed crime' punished

The HC will hold hearing on the appeals after relevant procedures are completed, he added.

A Dhaka court on October 10 sentenced 19 persons -- including former state minister and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar to death, and 19 others -- including BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, to life imprisonment in connection with two cases in connection with the August 21 grenade attack.

At least 24 people were killed and around 300 injured in the grisly attack on an Awami League rally on the capital's Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.

Sheikh Hasina, the then opposition leader in parliament, narrowly escaped the attack with an ear injury.

The grenade attack, masterminded by some BNP leaders, is regarded one of the most shocking political crimes in the country's history.