BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas now claims that his statement regarding the abduction of former lawmaker M Ilias Ali was distorted in media.
"I didn’t say anything that I may feel embarrassed," he said on Sunday, adding that he had said nothing that could put the party in an embarrassing situation. “So I can’t be held responsible for this.”
The former minister made the remarks during a press conference at his Shahjahanpur residence in the capital, reports Bangla Tribune. BNP leaders Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon and Fazlul Haque Milon were also present.
On Saturday, Mirza Abbas during a virtual discussion – organized to mark the disappearance of Ilias Ali on April 17, 2012 – said that not the government, but some of his party men had abducted Ilias Ali. He also asked BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to identify them.
The remarks were electrifying and created huge outcry within the party while several leaders of the ruling alliance have demanded that Mirza Abbas be remanded to reveal the truth.
Also read: BNP men behind Ilias Ali’s disappearance, claims Mirza Abbas
The BNP has been observing protests over the disappearance since 2012 blaming the law enforcers for the disappearance of Ilias Ali, a former lawmaker from Sylhet, and his driver, from the capital.
Asked about his remarks on the government, Mirza Abbas on Sunday said: "I’ve been saying this for nine years; it also came from the party who were behind the disappearance. I said if the government claims that they did not abduct him, it’s OK; they did not do it. Then they should tell us who were behind his disappearance. I too wanted to know this."
He claimed that the media had published part of his remarks and twisted it. “Can anyone prove that I said some BNP leaders and activists were behind the disappearance? My statement has been distorted. Is it possible for a standing committee member to make such a comment that BNP leaders were behind the disappearance? It’s like blasting a bomb on one’s own head.”
Mirza Abbas hoped that Ilias Ali would be back.
At the end of his 11-minute speech on Saturday, Mirza Abbas addressing Mirza Fakhrul said repeatedly that some looters and scoundrels of his party were behind the disappearance of Ilias. “Please take steps to identify them, please. Many [of us] know who they are.”
