August 20, 2017: A Dhaka Court today sentenced 10 people to death in a case of an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 17 years ago. The Speedy Trial Tribunal headed by Mamtaz Begum delivered the verdict this morning. Nine others have been sentenced to 20 years jail terms over a case of explosives.
Of the 25 accused in 2 cases filed over assassination attempt and explosives, the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islam Chief Mufti Hanan was executed in another case in April this year. On July 20, 2000, police found two 76-kg bombs in a school field at Kotalipara where Sheikh Hasina, during her first term as Prime Minister, was scheduled to address an election rally.
The bombs were discovered while a stage was being set up in Kotalipara, the electoral constituency of the Awami League leader. (AIR News)