Two prosecution witnesses yesterday sought exemplary punishment for the accused in two cases launched for conducting horrific grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004.
Dr Hasan Mahmud, publicity affairs secretary of AL, and Abdul Matin, former driver of PM Sheikh Hasina, gave the depositions before a court of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 1 judge Shahed Nuruddin in the attack that left 24 people killed and scores inured. The judge also recorded it.
According to the deposition, the witnesses were present at the rally on the day and Hasan Mahmud said the attack was run aiming to kill Sheikh Hasina as well as the party’s all top leaders.
Later, the defence counsels cross-examined the witnesses and then the court fixed today for the next hearings. With the duo, a total of 130 prosecution witnesses have so far testified before the court.
BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar as well as 50 others were made accused in the cases.