Zia Orphanage Case PM trying to influence the court

The BNP yesterday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was trying to influence the court by commenting on Khaleda Zia's under-trial Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

"The way prime minister made remarks on the under-trial case [of the BNP chief] is obviously an act of influencing the court. Does she [Hasina] think that awarding punishment to someone depends on her will as the judiciary and administration under her control?" said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed.

Addressing a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, he also reiterated that there would be no election in the country putting Khaleda behind bars.

Speaking at a reception in Germany on Friday, Hasina said Khaleda Zia would certainly be punished in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case if the court gets evidence and documents in this regard. 

The PM also said, “This is clear that she [Khaleda] embezzled the orphanage money. If the court has the evidence, she must be punished ... they [BNP] won't allow the election just to save a thief. What type of attitude is this?"

In yesterday's briefing, Rizvi criticised PM's comment, saying that Hasina and her party's top leaders were continuously spreading lies over the "false and politically motivated" cases against the BNP chief.

He also alleged that the PM and the Awami League leaders' comments clearly manifested that they were hatching new plots against the BNP chief.

The BNP leader said there were 15 cases against Hasina when she became the prime minister, but she withdrew the cases "through magic" without legally facing those.

"The Awami League has set an example how their own cases can be removed, while others can be harassed by filing cases, using state power,” Rizvi added.