Khaleda accused of sedition for allegedly meeting with Pakistan’s ISI

A pro-Awami League lawyer has accused BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia of sedition for allegedly holding a ‘secret meeting’ with Pakistani’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, during her three-month stay in the UK.

Bangabandhu Foundation Executive Chairman Mashiur Rahman filed a petition with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Metropolitan Magistrate Abdullah Al Masud heard the plea in the afternoon and has set aside time later in the day to give his opinion on the accusation.

Khaleda flew to London on Jul 15 for medical treatment and to spend time with her family. She returned to Dhaka three months later on Oct 18.

In July, some online news portals reported that Khaleda had met with ISI at the St James’ Court hotel in London.

Mashiur alleges that the BNP chief held late-night meetings with a Pakistani intelligence official named Zunaid on Jul 18 and Jul 19.

Khaleda’s meeting was meant to create ‘instability in Bangladesh and instigate a state of war between Bangladesh and India’, he said.

The Bangabandhu Foundation had made inquiries through their London branch into the allegations and confirmed them after the media reports, Mashiur said.

“There were delays in getting the information and so the allegation was also delayed,” he said in response to a question from bdnews24.com.