Khaleda’s fate in graft trial decided as per Hasina’s diktat, says BNP

The BNP claims the government has sealed the fate of its chief Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption trial before a court gives its ruling on Feb 8.

When the court was hearing the arguments before setting the verdict date on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir questioned the trial of Khaleda at a news conference at the party’s Naya Paltan offices, citing comments by leaders of the ruling Awami League and its allies.   

“The Jatiya Party chairman (HM Ershad), who is also a special envoy of the (prime minister), has said Khaleda Zia will have to go to jail in a few days.

“We wonder if the verdict in the case against our chief is predetermined? Has the illegal government already written it? Then what is the meaning of this farce in the name of trial?” he asked.   

The BNP leader said the trial of Khaleda proved that there was no rule of law and justice was a far cry in Bangladesh.

“There will be trial – what the prime minister wishes. He (Ershad) has faced no action yet for his comments tantamount to contempt of court,” he said. 

Mirza Fakhrul alleged the government has started 24 cases against Khaleda to keep the former prime minister off the elections as the ruling Awami League is scared of her.

“The trial in two of the cases is at the final stage. The unprecedented harassment of a former prime minister by compelling her to attend hearings thrice a week has put the entire trial in question,” he said.        

Mirza Fakhrul also demanded withdrawal of all cases, which he said totalled 50,000, against the BNP leaders and activists before the next general elections to create a ‘level playing field’.