AUGUST 17 BOMBING INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

S E C R E T DHAKA 004207 SIPDIS STATE FOR SA AND DS/IP AND DS/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2015 TAGS: PGOV PTER CASC BG SUBJECT: AUGUST 17 BOMBING INVESTIGATION CONTINUES REF: A. A. DHAKA 4089 ¶B. B. DHAKA 4108 Classified By: A/Pol Counselor David Renz, reasons para 1.4(d) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Bangladesh Government continues its investigations to determine the masterminds behind the August 17 bombings. The arrest of a former Islamic Foundation director has created significant publicity. The PM and BNP General Secretary assure the public that the BDG is doing all that it can and promise a conclusive police report on last year's August 21 grenade attacks against Sheik Hasina in a few days. END SUMMARY ¶2. (S) As investigations and arrests surrounding the 503 bombs that injured 191 and killed two on August 17 (reftel A and B) continue, Home Minister Babar has directed law enforcement officials to capture JMB leader Abdur Rahman "at any cost," according to press reports. Local media report that "so far, all the arrested JMB men have given identical confessions saying that Abdur Rahman had orchestrated the attacks." Our Directorate General of Forces Intelligence sources tell us that at least four of the arrested have confessed their affiliation to JMB but did not state any specific mentioning of Rahman. ¶3. (C) PM Zia reportedly gave law enforcers 15 days to hunt down the criminals and unearth any foreign links as she personally supervises investigations. On August 23, Home Secretary Hossain told poloff that capturing the masterminds SIPDIS behind the August 17 bombing was "very difficult" and that he was not necessarily confident that the BDG could identify and arrest them. A National Security Intelligence (NSI) source says that neither Abdur Rahman nor Bangla Bhai may currently be in Bangladesh. ¶4. (SBU) On August 22, the BDG arrested former director of the Islamic Foundation, a semi-government entity, Moulana Fariduddin Masud as he was boarding a flight bound for London on suspicion of links to an Islamist militant network. Law enforcement agencies claim he has a connection to the August 17 blasts as a central leader of the JMB while newspapers report that he is an Islamic scholar who controls an NGO, a hospital, and some madrassahs, each of which reportedly received substantial funds from the UK and the Middle East. In response to his arrest, Masud has accused Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer (leader) and Minister of Industries Nizami as "responsible for the bombings and plotting to have me arrested." The Awami League (AL) refuted press reports about Masud's link to AL's Islamic scholar front. ¶5. (SBU) On August 22, PM Zia reassured various ready-made garment industry leaders that "there is no scope for practicing extremism in the name of Islam," and that the perpetrators of the bombings would be identified and "dealt with a strong hand," according to press reports. Ready-made garment industry leaders paid a visit to the PM because prospective foreign buyers have canceled recent visits in response to the bombings and they are worried that buyers would shift their attention to other markets if the situation does not improve. According to press reports, business leaders have plans to arrange a dialogue between PM Zia and Opposition leader Sheik Hasina to discuss solutions and cooperation in the August 17 aftermath. The general manager of a major local hotel, however, told econoff that bookings were back to normal within days after August 17. ¶6. (SBU) In a BNP organized protest rally against the August 17 bombings, Secretary General Bhuiyan promised that the investigation into the August 21, 2004, grenade attacks on Awami League leaders was in its final stages and that a formal charge sheet (conclusive police report after investigation) would be submitted within a few days. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: Masud's accusations against Nizami following Masud's arrest comes in the context of long-standing enmity between AL aligned Masud and the BNP-JI alliance. In Bangladesh's polarized political climate, it is not unlikely for the ruling party to use the August 17 bombings to hash out existing political rivalries. AL's denial of links to Masud suggest, however, that the AL believes he might be a viable suspect. END COMMENT. CHAMMAS