DHAKA: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that jail authorities have not been allowing party men, lawyers and even family members to meet Khaleda Zia in jail for last eleven days.

The senior BNP leader came up with this allegation at a press briefing held in city’s Nayapaltan party office on Wednesday (July 11).

Replying to a question, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We fear that conspiracy is being hatched to keep her (Khaleda Zia) away from politics and polls. False cases are lodged one after another to prolong her stay in jail. She is on bail in the very case she was convicted. She is detained in jail in cases which are now under trial.”

Khaleda’s family members met her last in jail on June 30. Though written application was submitted, the prison authority is ignoring the requests in various ways. Party leaders and activists, lawyers, and family members have tried to enter prison for a number of times for the last 10 days, he said.

“When we request Jail Super, he directs us to Inspector general (IG) of Prison while IG does the opposite directing us to same directing us to minister. The minister says he could not do it without permission from the higher authority. There is no rule left in this country.” he added.

On February 8, a Dhaka court sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. She was sent to Dhaka central jail following the verdict. Since then, she is staying in jail.

BDST: 1810 HRS, July 11, 2018

AH/AP/SMS