Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday said the senior vice-president of the BNP Tarique Rahman is a “non-political person” and called him a “fugitive.”
Without mentioning his name she referred to the opposition leader and said: “He signed an undertaking that he would not take part in politics. In that sense, he is not a political personality.”
The minister made the comment at a press conference, in response to a query about whether the foreign ministry sought Interpol’s assistance to bring back the BNP’s senior vice-president from London, where he has been residing since 2008.
“Is he still holding that post? I have read the undertaking [given by Tarique Rahman]. He left the country relinquishing the political post he used to hold.”
“A warrant of arrest was issued against him quite a while back in connection with a case that is under trial. But, he did not come, appear or surrender (in court). Therefore, he is a fugitive in relation to that case.”
The foreign minister said: “The UK government has been informed about the arrest warrant, as has Interpol, so he can be brought back.”
Tarique left the country on September 11, 2008 for “medical treatment” allegedly pressured by the then military-backed caretaker government, which pressed several allegations of corruption against him.
A Dhaka court on May 26 directed concerned authorities to bring back the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s eldest son, if necessary with Interpol’s help. An arrest warrant was issued in relation to a money-laundering case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for siphoning over Tk202.1m to Singapore between 2003 and 2007.
GSP
The foreign minister expressed optimism about the US GSP authorities’ decision. She said: “Based on the positive response we received from US officials during recent interactions, we hope the decision will be positive for Bangladesh.”
Dipu Moni, however, said she would not comment further on the issue, which is an internal matter of the US government’s.
Regarding duty-free quota-free facility to the EU for the readymade garments sector, the minister said: “They appreciate the measures the government is taking with all the stakeholders. They assured us of their support to make the industry labour-friendly.”
