Tarique's counsel presents arguments in Aug 21 case

Published: January 22, 2018 21:15:53 | Updated: January 24, 2018 19:01:09

State-appointed defence counsel of BNP's Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman has started presenting its arguments in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The lawyer, Abul Kalam Akhtar Hossain, presented arguments between 1:45pm and 2:45pm on Monday at the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 in Old Dhaka.

Abul Kalam Akhtar Hossain claimed his client had nothing to do with the planned attack on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He read the murder and Explosives Act charges against his client and proclaimed his innocence at the hearing. He will resume his statement on Tuesday.

“Militants were involved with the Aug 21 attack. Tarique Rahman is not a militant. He did not support the attackers in any way. His name is not in the depositions. None of the witnesses have discussed Tarique Rahman specifically,” the lawyer said.

However, the prosecution claimed that the grenade attack on the Sheikh Hasina rally was planned in the presence of Tarique at the Hawa Bhaban.

According to bdnews24, a total of 24 people were killed and many others injured when a series of grenade ripped through the meeting venue of Awami League, then in opposition, on Bangabandhu Avenue on Aug 21, 2004.

AL chief Sheikh Hasina was addressing the rally at that time.