Abdus Salam Pintu Released After 17 Years: No Militant Allegations, Says Lawyer

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Abdus Salam Pintu Released After 17 Years

No Militant Allegations, Says Lawyer

Dhaka, Bangladesh - Abdus Salam Pintu, a former deputy minister and Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was released from jail after 17 years. His lawyer, Shishir Monir, stated that there are no allegations of militant affiliation against him. Pintu was initially arrested for his alleged involvement in the August 21, 2004, grenade attack targeting Awami League politicians, including Sheikh Hasina.

In 2018, Pintu was sentenced to death, but this was overturned by the Bangladesh High Court on December 1. The High Court acquitted all accused in the case, declaring the previous ruling illegal. The attack in 2004 resulted in the deaths of 24 Awami League leaders and injuries to at least 400 people. Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped but suffered hearing impairment.

Despite media reports suggesting Pintu's connections with terrorist groups, his lawyer confirmed that no such allegations were part of the case against him. Pintu was elected as a Member of Parliament in 1991 and 2001 and served as a deputy minister in 2001. He was arrested in January 2008 and had been in prison since then.

Doubts Revealed

Abdus Salam Pintu

Abdus Salam Pintu is a politician from Bangladesh. He was a former deputy minister and Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is one of the major political parties in Bangladesh. It was founded by Ziaur Rahman in 1978.

Militant Allegations

Militant allegations refer to accusations that someone is involved with violent groups or activities. In this context, it means being accused of being part of a group that uses violence for political reasons.

2004 Grenade Attack

The 2004 grenade attack was a violent incident in Bangladesh where grenades were thrown at a political rally. It targeted Awami League politicians, including Sheikh Hasina, who is a prominent leader in Bangladesh.

Awami League

The Awami League is another major political party in Bangladesh. It was founded in 1949 and is known for its role in the country's independence movement.

Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina is a prominent politician in Bangladesh. She is the current Prime Minister and the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh High Court

The Bangladesh High Court is a part of the judicial system in Bangladesh. It has the power to make important legal decisions, like overturning previous court rulings.