17 JMB activists get 10-year jail in Gazipur series bomb attack

A Dhaka court on Monday sentenced 17 members of the banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to 10 years in jail in connection with a series bomb attack on August 17, 2005.
Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 judge Abdur Rahman Sardar pronounced the verdict in presence of 10 accused in the case as seven of the convicts were went into hiding, BBS reported.
It also fined Taka 10,000 each and in default they would have to suffer one year more in prison.
The convicts are: Arifur Rahman, Nizamuddin, Rokonuzzaman, Zohirul Islam, Asad alias Zahangir, Omar Faruk, Kazimuddin, Kawsar Suman, Adam, Durul Huda, Mamunur Rashid, Russell, Abdul Baki, MA Siddik, Rana, Masum alias Abdur Rob, and Raihan.
The court also exempted four persons---Mahbubur Rahman, Nurul Islam, Tayabur Rahman and Hasan---of the charges as no prove was found against them.
A total of 50 prosecution witnesses out of 85 gave deposition before the court.
Earlier on August 17 in 2005, JMB activists carried out bomb attacks at nine spots of Gazipur area under Joydebpur Police Station aimed at creating panic. None was, however, hurt in the explosions.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Mahfuzur Rahman filed a case under Explosive Act with Joydebpur Police Station.
Sub-Inspector Gazi Ruhul Amin submitted a charge-sheet accusing 21 suspected JMB members on October 12 in 2005. The charge was also framed against the 21 accused on February 19 in 2012.
The case was later shifted to Dhaka's Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 in 2012 for quick completion of its trial.
-SS