On Wednesday, a Bangladesh court announced death sentences for seven members of an Islamist militant group. The members were involved in plotting an attack on a cafe in 2016 resulted in killing of 22 people.
Importantly, the majority of people killed in the attack were foreigners. It is one of the worst incidents in the south Asian nation’s history.
Amidst tight security, Golam Sarwar Khan, public prosecutor talked to the media post-verdict and said that “Charges against them were proved beyond any doubt”. He further said that “the court gave them the highest punishment.” Significantly, one of the eight people accused was acquitted, he added.
According to witnesses, post-ruling, the accused men in the dock in a packed courtroom looked defiant and shouted, “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest),
Attack on the Holey Artisan café not only shook 160 million people of Bangladesh but also had repercussions for trade sector. The cafe was popular because of the presence of foreigners in Dhaka’s diplomatic area. The attack poses a chilling threat to business, including the vital garment exports sector.
The attackers belong to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh which is known for establishing sharia rule in the predominantly Muslim country. Khan confirmed regarding conviction of the seven accused men who were involved in planning the attack.
Unfortunately, Nine Italians, seven Japanese, an American and an Indian were among the dead. The attackers were also killed by army commandos in a rescue bid. Family members and friends of the victims had gathered outside site of the attack, anxiously waiting for news.
On July 1, five militants burst into the Holey Artisan café in the upmarket Gulshan district of Dhaka. They were armed with assault rifles and took the diners hostage at gun-point. After a 12 hour stand-off, the commando stormed the building to rescue others. Above all, they killed all the five militants behind the attack.
