Bangladesh court clears Tarique Rahman in 2004 grenade attack case

In a significant legal ruling, Bangladesh's High Court acquitted Tarique Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son, along with 48 co-defendants, overturning their 2018 convictions related to a deadly grenade attack that occurred during a political rally in 2004. The attack targeted supporters of the Awami League, then led by Sheikh Hasina, resulting in the deaths of around two dozen people and injuries to approximately 300 others. Rahman was sentenced to life imprisonment while others faced death sentences for their involvement in the attack. Accusations of political motivations for the original verdict have been persistent, especially from Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which sees this as a continuation of political vendettas against them. The recent ruling, declared illegal by a two-member judge panel, has generated controversy, particularly among supporters of Hasina's Awami League party, who claim the justice system is being manipulated for political gain. The decision provides a crucial boost for Rahman, currently in self-exile, as he serves as the acting chairperson of Zia's party, which hopes to regain power amid ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh. The country has seen heightened instability since Hasina's departure to India in August 2024, following violent protests that resulted in hundreds of fatalities. Meanwhile, Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, now serving as interim leader, faces challenges in managing unrest and calls for a new election, which Rahman’s party demands soon. Whether the attorney general's office will appeal this ruling to the Supreme Court remains to be seen, and the immediate political implications will unfold as the situation develops over the coming weeks and months.