Dhaka, Aug 24 (bdnews24.com) – Home minister Shahara Khatun has said the opposition leader Khaleda Zia's sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coco have violated certain conditions of their parole.
Replying to a query on whether the decision to terminate Coco's parole was being cancelled and whether the parole was being extended, the home minister said that Coco's parole had been cancelled legally.
"He (Coco) was given parole on certain conditions. He should obey those. We want to establish the rule of law," she told journalists on Tuesday, after addressing a meeting on passport issuance for Hajj pilgrims at her ministry.
"We thought Coco was really sick. He had been receiving treatment abroad. Khaleda Zia's two ailing sons are receiving treatment abroad," said Shahara, adding "They were given parole on certain conditions. However, they are not obeying them."
Commenting on the appeal by Coco's lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Shahara said the appeal stated that Coco was recuperating in a hospital abroad.
"However, a prescription from November last year was attached to the appeal that was submitted in August this year. The medical prescription said Coco received treatment."
Shahara stated that the two sons of the BNP chief are abroad for the last two years and the former prime minister has not visited them even once.
She questioned, "What could the reason be? Are they well enough not to worry about?"
The home minister further said Coco was visiting different countries, including Singapore and Malaysia, in the pretence of receiving treatment.
"Why are they not returning to the country? Are they staying abroad to evade the cases?"
She pointed out that the opposition party has been hosting meetings and processions demanding relief from the cases filed against the two brothers during the caretaker government period.
"The legal steps needed against them will be taken," the home minister stressed.
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