Hasina murder attempt: 11 jailed for 20 years

A Dhaka court sentenced eleven people to 20 years of imprisonment in two cases filed against Freedom Party leaders and activists over an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that took place 28 years ago.

The Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jahidul Kabir passed the order on Sunday.

After completing the hearing on the case against several Freedom Party leaders and activists, the court fixed today for delivering the verdict.

The 12 accused in the cases are Golam Sarwar alias 'Mamun', Joj Mia, Freedom Sohel, Syed Nazmul Maksud Murad, Gazi Imam Hossain, Khandaker Amirul Islam Kajal, Mizanur Rahman, Humayun Kabir, Md Shahjahan Bali, Abdur Rashid, Zafar Ahmad and H Kabir.

On the night of Aug 10, 1989, attackers hurled bombs and opened fire targeting Awami League chief Hasina's house at Dhanmondi 32. She was at home.

Police Constable Zahirul Islam, who was on duty at the Bangabandhu Bhaban, now Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, started a case over the attack during the military regime of HM Ershad.

In the case, he said a team of 10 to 12, led by Freedom Party members 'Kajal' and 'Kabir' carried out the attack.

The attackers raised slogans like 'Col Faruque-Rashid Zindabad' while fleeing, he said.

Police charged 12 in court on Feb 20, 1997 after the Awami League returned to power.

Charges were framed against the 12 accused on July 5, 2009, after the Awami League took power again.