Bangladesh’s Court Fires the Death Penalty for 7 Terrorists
In a jaw‑dropping verdict, a Bangladeshi anti‑terror tribunal has handed down the ultimate sentence—death by hanging—to seven men who stormed a trendy Dhaka café in 2016 and claimed the lives of 22 people, 18 of whom were foreign tourists.
What Went Down?
- A brutal raid on the Holey Artisan Bakery in the posh Gulshan neighborhood.
- Armed with assault rifles and machetes, the attackers smashed into the café, chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Long live the faith of Islam.”
- They wanted to make a splash for the Islamic State and bring their version of a jihadist state to Bangladesh.
Judge Mojibur Rahman’s Corner
Judge Mojibur Rahman delivered the life‑ending verdict in a packed courtroom, stating that the perpetrators aimed to “undermine public safety, sow anarchy and establish a jihadian state.” He said the seven will be “executed by hanging until they are pronounced dead.”
A Massacre That Slayed
- All 22 victims included nine Italians, seven Japanese and two police officers.
- Police investigators alleged the attack was a calculated move to destabilize the 168‑million‑strong otherwise peaceful nation.
- In September 2016, military commandos stormed the café after a 10‑hour standoff, freeing more than two dozen hostages.
The Aftermath
The country ramped up its fight against extremism, resulting in:
- Over 100 Islamist militants killed.
- Close to 1,000 arrests.
- Eight other suspects, including mastermind Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, a Canadian of Bangladeshi descent, were also caught by authorities later that year.
Bangladesh’s crackdown was a stark counter‑stance against the surge of IS and Al Qaeda‑linked violence in the region, reaffirming its reputation as a moderate Muslim nation.
