BNP has rejected the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case verdict that sentenced its Chairperson Khaleda Zia to seven years imprisonment.
Terming the verdict a “dictated” one, the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Khaleda was convicted as per the government's “desire” to keep her away from the upcoming 11th general election.
He was speaking at a press conference at Naya Paltan headquarters on Monday, shortly after the verdict, reports UNB.
Fakhrul also announced a protest program across the country for Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Dhaka Special Judge Court 5 sentenced Khaleda and three others to seven years' imprisonment in the much-talked-about Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
It also fined them Tk10 lakh each, and failure to pay the fine will also result to six more months in prison.
Neither any defence lawyer nor Khaleda was present at the court when the verdict was delivered.
Fakhrul said that Khaleda was denied justice in a “fabricated” case.
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"We think Khaleda Zia has been convicted illegally without any document and witness in a fabricated case out of political vengeance to keep her away from politics. The dictated verdict was given so that she can't take part in the upcoming election," he said.
He alleged that the government's desire and the ministers' remarks about the case have been reflected in the verdict. "We turn down the verdict."
The BNP leader said justice was not ensured in any way through the verdict. "Khaleda Zia has been deprived of justice."
He questioned the validity of the verdict as it was given in absence of their ailing party chief.
"The verdict was given when our leader was receiving treatment at a hospital for her ailment. It's against the law. As per the law, the verdict must be given in presence of the accused persons who are in police custody. But, the verdict was given in absence of her," he said.
Fakhrul said the trial in the case was also held “illegally” by shifting the court in old Dhaka central jail when Khaleda was unable to appear before the court due to her illness.
He said that their party would stage demonstrations in all metropolitan cities and district towns on Tuesday protesting Khaleda's conviction in the case.
