BNP's Aslam Chowdhury gets bail in case over 'plot with Israel'

The High Court has granted bail to BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury in a treason case over an alleged plot with Israel to topple the Bangladesh government.

The bench of Justice Md Miftah Uddin Choudhury and Justice ANM Bashir Ullah granted the BNP leader bail on Thursday after the end of hearing a rule.

Following a writ petition filed by Aslam, the High Court issued the rule in December last year asking the authorities why he should not be given bail.

Barristers AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, a lawyer for Aslam, said there was no bar to release the BNP leader now because he had earlier secured bail in other cases over violence in protests. 

Barristers Shakib Mahmud and Sanjid Siddique also stood for Aslam.

Deputy Attorney General AKM Moniruzzaman Kabir said the State appealed against the bail order.

The hearing on the appeal would be held by the chamber judge on Sunday, he said.

A BNP joint secretary general, Aslam was in the limelight after his meeting with Israel’s Likud Party leader Mendi N Safadi during an event in New Delhi last year.

Leaders of the ruling Awami League were quick to claim the meeting was part of a conspiracy to oust Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with help of the Israeli spy agency Mossad. 

The BNP has been denying the allegation, saying Aslam’s trip to New Delhi was purely personal.

Aslam and Safadi both have admitted to meeting each other in Delhi but claimed nothing covert was discussed.

After Aslam's grilling in custody following his arrest in May last year, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said he had 'confessed to signing a deal' with Mendi.

The IGP said Safadi has connections with Mossad and he had met Aslam more than once in India.

Information given by Aslam during the questioning "made it clear that he was involved in anti-state activities”, the IGP said.