11 jailed for 20 years over Hasina murder attempt

A Dhaka court has sentenced 11 Freedom Party members to 20 years' imprisonment for an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 1989.

Judge Md Zahidul Kabir of the Forth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court of Dhaka delivered the verdict on Sunday. 

The court also acquitted one of the accused -- Humayun Kabir alias Kabir -- as the charges brought against him were not proved.

The 11 convicted accused are: Golam Sarwar alias 'Mamun', Joj Mia, Freedom Sohel, Syed Nazmul Maksud Murad, Gazi Imam Hossain, Khandaker Amirul Islam Kajal, Mizanur Rahman, Md Shahjahan Balu, Lt Col (retd) Khandaker Abdur Rashid, Zafar Ahmad and Humayun Kabir Humayun.  

Three of the convicts -- Zafar Ahmed, Humayun Kabir Humayun and Lt Col (retd) Khandaker Abdur Rashid -- have been on the run.

On August 10, 1989, activists and leaders of Freedom Party launched an attack on Sheikh Hasina at her residence on road 32 in capital's Dhanmondiin area.

According to the case statement, Freedom Party members Kajol and Kobir with 10 to 12 men attacked Hasina's residence by hurling bombs and firing gunshots.

While they were leaving the scene, they chanted the slogan 'Farooq-Rashid Zindabad' (Long live Farukh-Rashid). 

Zahurul Islam, a security guard of the residence, filed two cases -- one for attempt to kill Hasina and the other for hurling bombs -- with Dhanmondi Police Station in this connection.