Dhaka, July 2 (V7N) — Today marks the ninth anniversary of the deadly militant attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, Dhaka, one of the deadliest terror attacks in Bangladesh’s history. The brutal assault, carried out on the night of July 1, 2016, by members of the militant group Neo-JMB, claimed 22 lives, including both Bangladeshi and foreign nationals, as well as two police officers.

In the aftermath of the attack, a high-profile case was filed under the country’s anti-terrorism laws. Since then, the judicial process has passed through two stages, but the final verdict from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is still pending.

On October 30, 2023, the High Court commuted the death sentences of seven convicted militants to life imprisonment. The full 229-page verdict was published only recently, on June 18, 2025—one year and eight months after the decision—delaying further legal proceedings. It remains unclear whether the state will appeal the commutation. However, defense lawyers have stated they plan to appeal to the Supreme Court to further reduce the sentences once they receive the official copy of the verdict.

Who Are the Convicted?

The seven militants now serving life sentences are:

  • Jahangir Hossain alias Rajib Gandhi

  • Aslam Hossain alias Rash

  • Abdus Sabur Khan

  • Rakibul Hasan Regan

  • Hadisur Rahman

  • Shariful Islam alias Khaled

  • Mamunur Rashid Ripon

According to the full High Court ruling, the trial court had imposed the death penalty under a legal provision that did not apply to the nature of the crimes committed by these individuals. The High Court concluded that the convicts were not directly involved in the killings but were instead associated with the planning and conspiracy of the attack. “A death sentence cannot be justified solely based on conspiracy and planning,” the court stated, reducing their punishment accordingly.

Court Observation: Attack Damaged Nation’s Image

The ruling acknowledged that the massacre of 20 local and foreign civilians and two police officers was “cruel and brutal,” significantly damaging Bangladesh's international image. The court also noted that the attack created deep fear among the public and severely disrupted national security.

Background: The Night That Shocked the World

On the night of July 1, 2016, a group of Neo-JMB suicide attackers stormed the upscale Holey Artisan Bakery in the diplomatic zone of Gulshan, taking guests hostage at gunpoint. Over several hours, they executed 22 people—many of them with knives and firearms—including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, two Bangladeshis, and two police officers who died in the line of duty. A military commando operation ended the siege, killing five attackers on the spot.

The massacre received global attention and was widely condemned. It marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s counter-terrorism efforts and prompted a nationwide crackdown on extremist networks.

In November 2019, the Dhaka Anti-Terrorism Tribunal sentenced seven militants to death, but after their appeal, the High Court reduced their sentences in 2023, sparking renewed public and legal debate.

The final decision now rests with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, which will determine whether the High Court’s commutation stands or further legal action is warranted.

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