UK envoy attack: Death row convict Ripon to seek presidential clemency

Death-row convict Delwar Hossain alias Ripon will seek presidential clemency over the 2004 grenade attack on UK envoy, prison authorities say.

The Harkat-ul Jihad militant is currently in custody at Sylhet Central Jail. He told authorities on Thursday he would seek the pardon.

According to Senior Jail Superintendent Md Chagir Miah, Ripon had consulted with his family and lawyers over his next move following the appellate division’s decision to scrap his review.

“Around 12pm Ripon said he would petition for a pardon. He has seven days, from Wednesday, to file his petition.”

Two others convicted in the same case, banned group Harkat-ul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) chief Mufti Mohammad Abdul Hannan and Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul are currently at Gazipur’s Kashimpur Jail. Prison authorities indicated on Wednesday that they too would seek pardons.

Death-row convict Delwar Hossain Ripon is lodged at the Sylhet Central Jail while the two others at Gazipur's Kashimpur prison.

In May 2004, then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury came under a grenade attack while coming out of the Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in his hometown Sylhet.

Police's Assistant Sub-inspector Kamal Uddin died instantly. Constable Rubel Ahmed and one Habil Miah succumbed to their injuries in a hospital later.

The envoy was injured along with nearly 40 employees of the Sylhet district administration.

In December last year, the Appellate Division upheld their death sentences.

As a last ditch attempt to save themselves, the three filed for a review of their verdict, which was turned down earlier this month.

After losing the last legal option, the three are now left with the only option of seeking presidential clemency by admitting guilt.

If the president rejects their pleas, the government will fix a date and prison authorities will start the process to execute the verdict.

On Wednesday, Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin said the authorities are ready to carry out the death sentence if ordered to do so by the government.