British lawyer Lord Carlile will advise Khaleda’s counsels: BNP

The BNP has appointed British lawyer Lord Alex Carlile to advise party chief Khaleda Zia’s lawyers on cases against her, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Carlile has agreed to advise Khaleda’s counsels and provide necessary legal aid, Fakhrul said at a press conference at the party office on Tuesday.

“His office issued a letter which says he accepted (our offer).”

Moudud Ahmed, Abdur Razzaque Khan, Jamiruddin Sircar, Khandker Mahbub Hossain, former attorney general AJ Mohammad Ali, and Supreme Court Bar Association President Zainul Abedin are among senior attorneys of Khaleda.

Khaleda, a three-time prime minister, has been serving a five-year jail sentence since her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Feb 8.

When asked if the local lawyers were not enough to carry out the legal battles, Fakhrul said: “Not necessarily. The move aims to enrich the team and highlight the matter in the global arena.”

On another query, the BNP stalwart said Dr Kamal Hossain, one of the top lawyers of the country, had read the case. “He would advise the legal team once the hearing starts in the main case.”

Carlile, a member of the United Kingdom’s upper chamber, had long been involved in advocacy and politics. He has 28 years of working experience as a part-time judge.

Carlile, a Queen’s Counsel, is also the chairman of the Commonwealth Rights Initiative.

The former MP will work from the UK and will visit Bangladesh when necessary, Fakhrul said citing his letter.

Carlile will advise the BNP chief’s legal team on 36 cases against her.