Doubtful of getting justice, Khaleda calls for peaceful movement a day before verdict

Expressing doubts about getting justice in her trial on charges of graft a day before the delivery of the verdict, Khaleda Zia has called for ‘peaceful and systematic’ movement.

The BNP chief, speaking at a news conference at her Gulshan office in Dhaka on Wednesday, reiterated the allegation that the ruling party orchestrated her trial to keep her and the BNP away from the next general elections.

The former prime minister and five others, including her son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, stand accused of embezzling Tk 21 million in foreign donation meant for Zia Orphanage Trust.

The accused people in the case face up to life in prison if found guilty of the charges, which means Khaleda will be disqualified for the parliamentary polls.

“My appeal to the people is – please always have the belief that I am with you despite the efforts to keep me away from you,” she said.

“Please continue with the peaceful and systematic movement together for democracy, rights, a fair election and a government of the people,” the BNP chief said, calling in the people for a ‘greater national unity’.   

Khaleda alerted the BNP leaders and activists to ‘possible traps and conspiracies’.

“This country belongs to us all, not any individual or a party. We don’t want conflict and anarchy, but peace and fair elections,” she said.

After witnessing waves of violent protests by the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance in 2014 and 2015, many fear a repeat if Khaleda is convicted.

Security agencies have braced for extra security measures ahead of the verdict as a precaution.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have banned all sorts of gatherings for Thursday.

Besides the court area, security has been strengthened at all accesses to Dhaka.

Police in Gazipur and Narayanganj have stepped up security check of vehicles on the highways leading to the capital.

In Dhaka, additional police check-posts have been put up across the city.

Khaleda said, “The ruling party has curbed the rights to protest, banned procession in an administrative order as it is more frightened than we are over the verdict.”

She alleged the Awami League and its affiliates have unleashed a ‘reign of terror’. “We don’t believe in terrorism,” Khaleda said.

কোনো দুর্নীতি আমি করিনি: খালেদা জিয়া

কোনো দুর্নীতি আমি করিনি: খালেদা জিয়া

The BNP-led coalition launched a deadly agitation to stop the Jan 5, 2014 elections as its demand for a neutral, polls-time government was ignored. It started a blockade programme the following year to topple the government.

Failed in both movements, the BNP has now proposed talks on the election-time government ahead of the next parliamentary polls scheduled to take place by the end of this year.  

Khaleda reiterated the call for talks at the media briefing.

“We still hope that the good sense of the Awami League leaders will prevail. And with that hope, we urge them to eschew the path of intimidation and suppression, and to hold discussions for a fair election in a peaceful manner,” she said.    

“This election is not one to topple someone from power and place someone else in the office. This election will be an election to run the country with the people’s mandate.” 

“We have grown old. Let’s leave a beautiful country full of possibilities for the next generations,” she added.   

Doubts

Referring to the resignation of Surendra Kumar Sinha as chief justice ‘following pressure’, Khaleda said she had her doubts about whether the court would be able to withstand ‘the pressure’ in delivering the verdict on Thursday.  

The Fifth Special Judge’s Court of Dhaka set up at Bakhshibazar is expected to deliver the verdict in the morning. The judge, Md Akhtaruzzaman, is also hearing another graft case against Khaleda. 

The BNP chief claimed she was innocent, “Your Khaleda Zia has not done anything wrong. I’ve committed no corruption.”

“I believe the court will acquit me of all charges,” Khaleda said. “It’s a false case and a tool to harass me and my family.” 

She also warned the government against its ‘move to perpetuate the one-party rule’.

"I am prepared to face any situation. Threatening me with prison term will lead nowhere. I will never bow down,” she said.  

“I don’t believe their (Awami League’s) design to get things done unchallenged and extend one-party rule will succeed,” she added. 

Besides BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mahbubur Rahman, Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, were present.