BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia might appear before a Dhaka court on April 5 for hearings in two graft cases if assurances for her security are given by the authorities, her lawyer said yesterday.
The former prime minister is “keen” to appear in court, but only if “the government provides her with proper security,” Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Khaleda’s chief counsel in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases, said at a press conference at his office.
“She is respectful of the law and is willing to appear in court, but her car and several BNP leaders were attacked the last time she went to the makeshift court at Bakshibazar on December 24... The government must ensure that she will not be attacked again when she goes to court,” said Khandaker Mahbub, who is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Khaleda has not ventured out of her Gulshan office since early January, launching the ongoing nationwide transport blockade and a spate of hartals from its premises.
She did not leave the office even to attend national observances like Martyr’s Day and Independence Day.
Although previously the BNP had sought assurances that Khaleda be allowed to return unhindered to her Gulshan office after appearing in court, the chief counsel did not raise the issue yesterday.
Asked what kind of security Khaleda seeks, the lawyer said: “Security for her life and belongings. The kind of security every citizen is guaranteed by the constitution.
“As an ex-prime minister, she should receive the security demanded by her position.”
About the graft cases, Mahbub said: “Khaleda Zia has not committed any wrongdoing in setting up the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust.
“These charges of corruption were filed against her to harass her politically.”
Witness depositions in the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases are scheduled for April 5.
Even though arrest warrants were issued against her on February 25, Khaleda has not appeared before the court citing security reasons.
On March 4, the court of Dhaka’s Third Special Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar set the date for the hearing after scrapping a defence plea to withdraw the arrest warrant for the three-time prime minister.
A no-confidence petition against the judge which seeks to have the case heard in another court is pending with the High Court. It is expected to be heard this month.