BDG PROVIDES LIMITED KIBRIA CASE MATERIALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000906 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEW DELHI FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2010 TAGS: KCRM PTER PGOV BG SUBJECT: BDG PROVIDES LIMITED KIBRIA CASE MATERIALS REF: DHAKA 0810 Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 d. ¶1. (SBU) On March 1, Home Ministry Joint Secretary Mohammad Mohsin conveyed to us the following Kibria investigation case materials: -- 34 photographs of the crime scene, bloodied victims, and apparent grenade fragments/pieces -- "The Investigation Report on Explosion Incident" -- A small sketch of the attack scene -- "State of Investigation" update -- Translation of the Bangla post mortem form with hard-to-read copies of the originals. ¶2. (SBU) The 1.5-page "Investigation Report" prepared by an ammunition technical officer attached to a Rapid Action Battalion Bomb Disposal Unit is primarily a basic description of the attack area and the attack itself. Under Collection of Evidence, it is stated that investigators recovered steel balls, an "igneferous detonator head," and a "fly off lever" indicating that the explosion was caused by an "Anti-Personnel Hand Grenade of ARGES Origin." ¶3. (SBU) The one-page unsigned "State of Investigation" update mostly recounts the incident and the casualties. It concludes: "The statements of the witnesses as well as the suspects do not seem to be corroborative. However, the doubtful statements are being verified and examined. No concrete opinion could be formed yet and therefore no formal statement could recorded according to law." ¶4. (SBU) We are forwarding the case materials for assessment to A/LEGATT in New Delhi, and will advise the BDG accordingly. ¶5. (C) Comment: There appears to be little information here of investigative as opposed to descriptive value. The BDG continues to balk at providing witness statements or details on what appear to be flimsy grounds. THOMAS