BNP rejects verdict, calls weeklong demo

Political opposition BNP has rejected the August 21 grenade attack verdict delivered today, and called for weeklong demonstration starting from tomorrow.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed declared a set of programmes at the party's Nayapaltan central office today, after the verdict was declared.

The programmes include rallies all over the country tomorrow, a student rally by Chhatra Dal on October 13, youth rallies by Jubo Dal and Swecchasebak Dal on October 14 and 15.

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Also, on the list is a black flag procession on October 16, a women's rally on October 17 and a rally of the party's workers' front Sramik Dal on October 18.

UNB adds, BNP's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has termed the verdict "politically motivated" and "naked manifestation of the Awami League's political vengeance."

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he further said, "We reject the verdict." He said, it was "yet another example of government's political revenge using the judiciary".

Earlier this morning, 19 people were sentenced to death and 19 others, including BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, to life imprisonment, in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.