The High Court commuted the death sentences of seven militants convicted in the Holey Artisan Bakery attack on July 1, 2016.
The High Court bench of Justice Shahidul Karim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on Monday commuted the death sentences of Jahangir Hossain, Aslam Hossain Rash, Hadisur Rahman, Rakibul Hasan Regan, Md Abdus Sabur Khan, Shariful Islam Khaled and Mamunur Rashid Ripon to imprisonment until death.
On October 11, the court scheduled the verdict delivery for October 30. Based on statements from defence lawyer Ariful Islam and deputy attorney general Bashir Ahmed, this decision was made following the conclusion of the hearing on the death reference and appeals in the case.
The High Court reviews all death sentences imposed by lower courts prior to their finalization, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
On July 1, 2016, a group of five militants carrying guns, machetes, and grenades broke into a high-end eatery located in the diplomatic area of Gulshan. They took hostages among the guests, killing three Bangladeshis, seven Japanese, nine Italians, and one Indian national.
During an army commando rescue mission, the militants were killed. A 12-hour standoff resulted in the deaths of two police officers and a café chef.
On November 27, 2019, the Dhaka Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal found seven militants guilty of the attack and sentenced them to death.
