Anisul for legal procedure for Khaleda’s release

Law minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said that the specific legal procedure had to be followed for release of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia either on bail or parole as she had been in jail following her conviction in a graft case on February 8, 2018.

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on the day that the government would consider any application of BNP or Khaleda’s family seeking her release on parole.

‘There are specific legal procedures for release on bail or parole. This is not professional the way they are speaking about the release of Khaleda. What they are saying about it seems to be amateurish,’ Anisul, also a senior lawyer, told reporters after launching the ‘Legal Manual for Civil Society Organisations in Bangladesh’ in Dhaka.

Obaidul, also road transport and bridges minister, at his office said, ‘Releasing Khaleda Zia is a not the government’s matter rather it’s a matter of the court. But if the BNP or Khaleda’s family applies for her release on parole through the home ministry, the government will consider it according to the rules and procedures.’

The law minister said that he was not aware of any application seeking release of ailing Khaleda for her treatment abroad while she was under treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mijib Medical University hospital. He said that he came to know from the media that her family appealed to the BSMMU authority seeking recommendation for Khaleda’s advanced treatment abroad.

Obaidul said that the BNP was divided on the issue of Khaleda’s release from jail as some of its leaders were saying they would free her through movement, while others were demanding her release on parole on humanitarian grounds considering her physical condition.

He said that there was nothing happening ‘behind the curtain’ over Khaleda’s release.

‘It is natural that the BNP secretary general can make a phone call to discuss the matter of Khaleda’s release and there is no reason to play hide and seek,’ Obaidul added.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net