Aug 21 grenade attack trial at final stage: PM

SANGSAD BHABAN, FEB 7 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that the trial proceedings of the August 21 grenade attack case are now at the final stage with 225 witnesses finishing their depositions.

"The proceedings of the August 21 grenade attack case of 2004 are now at the final stage of the verdict; meaning the argument stage," she said replying to a tabled starred question from Awami League MP Nasima Ferdushe (reserved seat-13).

The placing of arguments by the prosecution has already been completed and the defence arguments for 18 out of 52 accused were completed as of January 24 last, the Prime Minister said.

The date for delivering the verdict will be fixed on completion of the arguments for the remaining accused, she said.

Noting that the grenade attack on August 21, 2004 is an unprecedented grisly, cruel attack in world history, she described it as the outcome of a conspiracy hatched by the then ruling party to annihilate the then opposition party with state patronage.

Sheikh Hasina said 24 Awami League leaders and activists, including Mahila Awami League leader Ivy Rahman, were killed in the attack. "Hundreds of leaders and activists still bear the horror memories of the attack."