DHAKA, Bangladesh — On Sunday, Bangladesh’s High Court exonerated Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and annulled a previous conviction related to a fatal grenade assault during a political gathering in 2004.
This ruling arrives amidst significant political unrest in the nation, especially following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent departure to India after a large uprising that resulted in numerous casualties. Currently, Rahman is in self-imposed exile in London, acting as the chairperson for Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and he is seen as a potential leader should his party succeed in the upcoming elections.
In 2018, Rahman and 48 other individuals were found guilty in connection with the attack that targeted a rally organized by supporters of Hasina, the opposition leader at that time, causing the death of about 24 individuals and injuries to nearly 300 more. The court previously imposed the death penalty on 19 of the accused, while Rahman was sentenced to life imprisonment, sparking accusations from Zia’s party that the verdict was driven by political motivations.
However, a panel of two judges overturned the entire 2018 conviction for all 49 defendants on Sunday after they appealed the initial ruling. Defense attorney Shishir Monir communicated to the media that the court deemed both the trial and the verdict unlawful.
“Consequently, all defendants have been acquitted,” he confirmed.
Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, and Sheikh Hasina represent the most influential political figures in Bangladesh and have a history of rivalry.
Since Hasina’s escape, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the interim leader, but the government has struggled to maintain order amidst chaos and mob justice, along with reports of systematic discrimination against minority groups, particularly against Hindus, which Yunus has labeled as “exaggerated.”
Hasina’s Awami League party criticized the court’s decision on Facebook, dismissing it as a product of what they called “Yunus’ Kangaroo court,” asserting that the people of Bangladesh would be responsible for holding the perpetrators accountable for the attacks.
Zia’s party, on the other hand, welcomed the ruling. The attorney general’s office has the option to appeal this decision in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
The Yunus administration has not specified a timeline for forthcoming elections, but Rahman and his party are eager for these elections to occur soon. Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which collaborated with Zia’s party from 2001 to 2006 in influential positions, has indicated a desire to allow Yunus’ government to enact reforms before new elections.
Hasina is currently facing charges for alleged crimes against humanity related to the violent summer student uprisings. The interim government is seeking assistance from Interpol to apprehend Hasina. It remains uncertain if India will comply with any request from Bangladesh for the extradition of Hasina under their mutual treaty.
