Acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman, who is in a self-imposed exile to London for 10 years, will return and challenge the verdict convicting him in the 2004 grenade attack, said his counsel.
On Wednesday, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal ordered life in prison for BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique and 18 others.
Nineteen others, including former BNP state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu have been sentenced to death.
“We are not satisfied with the verdict. Tarique Rahman should have been acquitted,” defence counsel Sanaullah Mia told the media after the verdict.
He claimed that none of the prosecution witnesses’ depositions stated that Tarique Rahman was involved.
Citing Mufti Hannan’s deposition, he said that “Tarique Rahman had never even met him and the deposition that he gave during remand had been withdrawn.”
“He has been wrongfully convicted. It is all part of a conspiracy to destroy Tarique Rahman and his family,” said the defence attorney.
Asked whether Tarique will return to file an appeal, Mia said, “Of course. We will file an appeal as soon as he returns.”
Sanaullah Mia said that he expects Tarique Rahman and the convicted BNP activists to be acquitted after filing the appeal.