BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s conviction proves that Bangladesh has the rule of law and that nobody is above the law, says Law Minister Anisul Huq.
Published : 08 Feb 2018, 03:22 PM
A court in Dhaka found the former prime minister guilty of embezzling funds of the Zia Orphanage Trust on Thursday and sentenced her to five years in prison.
Minutes after the verdict, police took her to the old premises of the Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road.
Speaking to the media in his offices, Minister Huq said: “The verdict proves that Bangladesh is not a criminals’ haven which was the case during the BNP regime.”
The court’s decision established that a trial will happen for any offence committed and that there will be penalties following a fair trial, according to him.
“It’s true that a former prime minister’s conviction for graft is not a good thing for our image. But we can at least tell the world that those who are corrupt are brought to justice in this country."
Disqualified from polls?
Replying to a query, whether the conviction means that Khaleda will not be able to take part in the polls, the law minister said it depends on the higher court and the election commission.
“All I can say is, the Constitution says anyone sentenced to more than two years in jail for ethical or moral misconduct cannot contest the parliamentary election,” he said.