The High Court has commuted the death sentences of seven militants convicted in a case filed over the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1, 2016.
The High Court bench consisting of Justice Shahidul Karim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on Monday commuted the death sentences of Jahangir Hossain, Aslam Hossain Rash, Hadisur Rahman, Rakibul Hasan Regan, Md Abdus Sabur Khan, Shariful Islam Khaled and Mamunur Rashid Ripon to imprisonment until death.
The court on October 11 set October 30 as the date for delivering its verdict. This decision came after the conclusion of the hearing on the death reference and appeals in the case, as confirmed by Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ahmed and defence lawyer Ariful Islam.
In accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), any death sentences issued by lower courts are subject to review by the High Court before they are finalized.
The Holey Artisan Bakery attack, which took place on July 1, 2016, involved five militants armed with firearms, machetes and grenades who stormed the upscale eatery located in the diplomatic zone of Gulshan. During the attack, they took the diners hostage and subsequently killed three Bangladeshis as well as seven Japanese, nine Italians and one Indian.
The militants were killed during a rescue operation conducted by army commandos, and two police officers and a cafe chef lost their lives during the 12-hour standoff.
On November 27, 2019, the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal in Dhaka convicted and sentenced seven militants to death for their involvement in the attack.
The seven convicted individuals separately filed appeals with the High Court challenging the tribunal's verdict.
