The High Court's verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case is a reflection of the government's desires, Secretary General of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir has claimed.
"I am stunned by the court's order," he said in reference to the High Court's extension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's jail term to 10 years. "This verdict was politically-influenced, as the government is in complete control of the judicial system."
He expressed his sentiments at a press conference held at BNP's Naya Paltan central office on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier on Tuesday, a High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Raman extended Khaleda's jail term, from five years to 10 years, in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
"We were hoping for her release," Fakhrul said at the press conference. "This verdict is unnatural. Through this verdict, the government has destroyed a democratic institution."
The High Court's sentence has clarified that no participatory election will be allowed to be held under this government, Fakhrul alleged. "This is a result of political and personal vengeance."
He also complained about the nationwide arrests of numerous BNP leaders and activists.
The case against Khaleda and the five others accused
Zia Orphanage Trust, set up by Khaleda Zia’s sons and one of her nephews, was registered on September 5, 1993, when she was the prime minister.
The ACC accused Khaleda, and five others, of embezzling Tk2.1 crore of donations meant for the orphanage trust, in a case filed with Ramna police in July 2008.
Of the six accused, three – Khaleda, Salimul and Sharfuddin – are behind bars.
Khaleda, who is already serving a five-year jail term, saw her term extended by five additional years on Tuesday.
Her heir-apparent, Tarique, who is also the party’s senior vice-chairman; Ziaur Rahman's nephew Mominur; and former principal secretary Kamal Uddin are on the run.
What are Khaleda's chances of participating in the election?
Khaleda's conviction has come just months before Bangladesh's 11th national election, and the verdict against her has effectively stopped her from contesting in the polls.
According to Section 66 (2) (d) of the constitution, a person will be disqualified from running in the election if he/she "has been, on conviction for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of: no less than two years, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his/her release."
Unless her verdict is scrapped, Khaleda will not be able to participate in the election;even if her appeal remains pending or the operation of her sentence is suspended.
Khaleda was also sentenced to seven years in jail in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on Monday. She is the first former prime minister in Bangladesh's history to have been convicted.
