Khaleda not arrested over political reason: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is not in jail for political reason, rather for conviction in embezzling orphan’s money.

“We didn’t arrest her politically. If we wanted so, we could do it in 2015 and 2014. She is in jail due to the court verdict. The proceedings of the case continued for 10 years,” Hasina said while speaking at the parliament.

She was answering to a supplementary question from Awami League lawmaker Nurjahan Begum.

The PM also said despite being a woman and a mother, Khaleda Zia embezzled orphan’s money which is “shameful and stigma” for the whole woman community.

The Prime Minister said there are many seasoned lawyers and Barristers in BNP. But none of them could prove that Khaleda Zia is innocent.

The premier said BNP amended section-7 of the party’s charter just before the court’s verdict against Khaleda Zia as BNP leaders knew that she is an offender.

As per the section-7 of BNP’s charter, anyone being convicted on corruption charge can’t remain in the party’s leadership position.

Pointing to Zia orphanage trust graft case, PM said: “It is stigma for the whole women community as a woman means a mother. How a person being a mother steals or misuses money of an orphan. It is shameful for our women community.”