Bangladesh
Satkhira Bombings 14 convicted in Satkhira series-bombing
Dhaka, February 11: In five of the six cases filed by the police in connection with the bombings at five places in Satkhira, the court sentenced 14 accused to a maximum of 13 years and a minimum of three years. Of the total 16 accused in these cases, one has died and one has been acquitted.
The court sentenced 8 of them to 13 years in prison. At the same time, the remaining 10 accused have been sentenced to different terms. In another case, all the 19 accused have been acquitted. Satkhira Additional District and Sessions Judge Shariful Islam pronounced the verdict at noon on Wednesday (February 10th).
The convicts are Moniruzzaman, Nur Ali, Gias Uddin Munna, Ismail alias Habibur Rahman, Bellal Hossain alias Abdullah, Montaz alias Mamtaz, Mahbubur Rahman, Rakib Hasan, Naeem, Fakar Uddin, Asaduzzaman, Monowar Hossain, Asadur and Anisur Rahman Khokon.
Abul Khair has been released. Besides, Nasir Uddin Dafadar has died.
It may be mentioned that in 2005, chargesheets were issued against 19 accused in each case of series bombing at five places in Satkhira. Among those arrested are in jail, others on bail and are fugitives.
On 17 August 2005, the bombings and the distribution of banned leaflets took place simultaneously in five places in the city, including Shaheed Razzak Park, the District Judge's Court premises, the Women and Child Abuse Suppression Court premises, the bus terminal and the Khulna junction.
In 2007, a charge sheet was filed in the name of Satkhira Sadar Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Golam Mohammad in the name of four more people including the accused in the previous case. One of the arrested, Nasiruddin Dafadar, died in Satkhira Jail on December 26, 2018 due to brain damage.
As the accused were lodged in different jails of the country, it took 15 and a half years for the verdict to be pronounced. According to his confession, the JMB base was identified at Rasulpur in Satkhira.
A total of 13 people, including Indian national Ghiyasuddin, were arrested on this basis. They were sent to JIC (Joint Interrogation Cell) in Dhaka for questioning. Apart from giving confessional statements there, they also revealed many secret information of JMB. Later they were brought back to Satkhira.
