Bangladesh Grenade Attack: 19 sentenced to death, 19 to life-imprisonment
What's the story
A Bangladesh court today sentenced 19 to death and 19 others, including Former Premier Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman, to life imprisonment in connection with the 2004 grenade attack, in which 24 were killed and 500 others were injured. The attack was conducted during an Awami League rally, which actually targeted Sheikh Hasina, now Bangladesh's Prime Minister. Hasina survived attack with partial hearing loss.
Investigation
Attackers, who were operatives of HuJI, were sponsored by government
Former State Minister for Home, Lutfozzaman Babar, is among the 19 who were sentenced to death by the court. Rahman, the BNP's Senior Vice President who lives in exile in London, and 18 others were given life imprisonment. Investigations found an influential quarter of the then BNP-led government, including Rahman, masterminded and sponsored the attackers, the operatives of militant Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI).