DHAKA: BNP has formally rejected the verdict against its chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Charitable Trust graft case terming the verdict as prescribed by the ruling party.

The party will also stage demonstrations in metropolitan and district towns across the country on Tuesday (October 30). 

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement at a press conference in party’s Naya Paltan office after Zia Charitable Trust graft case verdict had been delivered on Monday (October 29).

Fakhrul said, “The trial of the case was conducted unilaterally. Khaleda Zia could not appear before court due to illness and thus the court was shifted into the prison. Then the trial continued without providing any treatment to her. Khaleda Zia is in hospital now and delivering the verdict amid her illness is against the law.”

“She (Khaleda) has been punished illegally out of political vengeance so that she stays away from politics and the upcoming election. She has been deprived of fair trial and the verdict is completely prescribed by the ruling party. We reject the verdict,” he said.

Earlier on Monday (Oct 29), a Dhaka special court sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 3 others to 7 years jail each, in much-hyped Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Khaleda Zia is in Dhaka central jail since February 8 after a Dhaka court sentenced her to five years imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case.

BDST: 1650 HRS, OCT 29, 2018
AP/SMS