Bangladesh: High Court commutes death sentences of terrorists convicted in 2016 cafe attack

Almost four years after they were found guilty of their involvement in the deadliest terror attack in Bangladesh, which took place in a well-known cafe in Dhaka in 2016 and claimed the lives of twenty-three people, including an Indian girl, the High Court of Bangladesh on Monday commuted the death sentences of seven Islamist terrorists to life in prison.

On July 1, 2016, the heavily armed terrorists stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant in the upscale diplomatic district of Dhaka and kidnapped the patrons. After that, they killed one Indian, nine Italians, seven Japanese, and three Bangladeshis.

Two police officers and a cafe chef perished during the 12-hour standoff, and the terrorists were killed during a commando rescue operation.

Following the attack, eight suspects were slain in security raids.

The Neo Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh militants were found guilty and sentenced to death on November 27, 2019, by the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal in Dhaka, for their role in the attack, which was the worst terror incident to ever occur in the country.

The death sentences of seven terrorists were commuted to life in prison on Monday by a two-judge panel of the High Court, consisting of Justices Shahidul Karim and Md Mostafizur Rahman, according to a report in the Dhaka Tribune.

The paper stated that Deputy Attorney General Bashir Ahmed and defence attorney Ariful Islam confirmed that the verdict was rendered following the conclusion of the hearing on the death case and appeals in the case.

As per the Code of Criminal Procedure, the High Court has the authority to review and approve any death sentences that have been handed down by subordinate courts.

The government denied the Islamic State group’s claim of responsibility for the attack, claiming that a domestic group was responsible.

Investigators believe that the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated domestic militant group Neo Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) orchestrated the attack to garner international attention and establish their presence in the country.

(With agency inputs)