DHAKA: Tarique Rahman, the son of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been acquitted in the 2004 grenade attack case.
The case involved a grenade attack on a political rally in 2004. Grenades were thrown at a gathering of Sheikh Hasina’s supporters, causing several deaths and injuries. The attack was part of political violence in Bangladesh at the time.
In a landmark ruling, Bangladesh’s High Court overturned a 2018 verdict, declaring it unlawful. The court acquitted son of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Tarique Rahman and 48 others, who had been previously convicted in the case.
CASE BACKGROUND
Tarique Rahman’s Exile
Tarique Rahman, who has been living in exile in London, was not present for the trial. He has been staying abroad since the original trial, reportedly due to health reasons and legal issues.
The grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s supporters occurred during a political rally in August 2004. It targeted the Awami League party, which was led by Hasina, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The attack resulted in several casualties, including the death of 24 people, and many more were injured.
The ruling has sparked political debate in Bangladesh. Supporters of the ruling party see the acquittal as a victory for justice. In contrast, critics argue that the decision undermines accountability for political violence.
Tarique Rahman’s acquittal comes as a major development in the long-running political rivalry between the country’s two major parties. Rahman is a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by his mother, Khaleda Zia.
As of now, the legal implications of the High Court’s decision remain unclear, but it is likely to have significant consequences for the political landscape in Bangladesh.
