An anti-terrorism special court in Bangladesh convicted and handed out death penalty to seven individuals for their role in the terror attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in uptown Gulshan area of Dhaka on July 1st, 2016. Judge Mojibur Rahman delivered the verdict. One out of the eight accused was set free. This verdict was pronounced today.
These seven were convicted for their role in planning and assisting the attackers in carrying out the brazen attacks.
Also Read: Perpetrators of 26/11 still not convicted, says Mike Pompeo
The attack that killed over 20 people shocked the international community. Terrorists belonging to the Neo- Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh stormed the café, held the guests hostages and then killed over 20 people (largely foreigners) which included an Indian national, Tarishi Jain. Nine Italians, seven Japanese and an American were amongst those who were killed.
The terrorists were taken down the next day by the Bangladeshi security forces. The forces also injured two staff members of the café, one of them died later.
In the days to follow, the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Bangladesh government though denied the presence of any foreign terror group on its soil.
The trail started in 2018.
The convicts, Jahangir Hossain, Rakhibul Hasan Regan, Aslam Hossain, Abdus Sabur Khan, Hadisur Rahman Sagar, Shariful Islam Khaled and Mamunur Rashid Ripon were produced in the court amidst high security. Their conviction was proved beyond doubt. According to witnesses, on hearing the verdict, the convicts looked defiant and shouted, “Allahu Akbar” or “God is great”.