Maulana Tajuddin in South Africa

Interpol this morning informed Bangladesh Police that Maulana Tajuddin, one of the key accused in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack cases, is now staying in South Africa, reports BSS.

"Interpol Tuesday morning sent us an email informing that Maulana Tajuddin is now in South Africa," Deputy Inspector General (DIG-operation) of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun told the news agency Tuesday.

"Initiatives have been already taken to bring him (Tajul) back soon after receiving the email," he confirmed.

Tajuuddin, who is one of the nineteen-chargesheeted fugitive accused out of 52 in the cases, in connection with the August 21, 2004 gruesome grenade attacks on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city. He is also a top leader of the banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Maulana Tajuddin is brother of the detained former deputy minister of the BNP government Abdus Salam Pintu, who is also a chargesheeted accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The government has taken initiatives to bring back the chargesheeted accused including BNP Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman.