Kabir Humayun: Trashing the Prime Minister’s remark that Khaleda Zia’s trial is being held in an open court inside Old Dhaka Central Jail, BNP claimed that her assertion is not correct.
“The Constitution says the trial must be held in public and in an open court. But they’re holding the trial in a small room (inside the jail) where there’s a sitting arrangement for only 10 lawyers. It’s not an open court,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Fakhrul was speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office yesterday, reports UNB.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Khaleda’s trial is being held in an open court where people have free access.
“How could it be a camera trial when the door of the court remains open?” Hasina said.
She also said the makeshift court was set up in the central jail to try BNP chief Khaleda Zia as BNP leaders were talking about her security.
“The trial of Colonel Taher was held in a court in jail during the Ziaur Rahman’s regime,” Hasina cited.
Fakhrul refuted the Prime Minister’s comment, saying that Col Taher’s trial was held during martial law not under a civil administration. “So, it can’t be compared with that trial.”
The BNP leader questioned as to why the government is keeping Khaleda in jail with various tricks even after she got bail from the apex court in the case she was convicted.
“Why do you fear her? Free her from jail and hold a fair election. You don’t want to do it as you know people are not with you,” he said.
Speaking at the press conference, party standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said jail is not an open place and people have no access to it.
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