The News Desk: BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed addresses a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday; February 8, 2018 Focus Bangla
Senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed made the revelation
BNP will appeal against the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case verdict on Sunday, after receiving certified copies of the order that sentenced party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to jail for five years, reports UNB.
Senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed made the revelation on Thursday, during a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in the afternoon.
A special court in Dhaka also on Thursday afternoon sentenced BNP’s Vice Chairperson Tarique Rahman to 10 years’ imprisonment in the same case.
“We are trying our best to collect the certified and authenticated copy of the verdict. Our lawyers are still waiting at the court and they will be waiting until they get it. We will file an appeal against the verdict and will seek bail for her, if we get the copy today.”
“The judgement was given violating the constitution. We think the verdict was neither lawful nor based on the document. The government’s political vengeance has been reflected in the verdict”, he added.
As the journalist drew Modud’s attention to Law Minister Anisul Huq’s comment on Khaleda’s won’t be able to take part in the national polls until the case is dissolved, the veteran BNP leader said: “Supreme Court will decide over it. My legal opinion is there is no barrier for Khaleda Zia to get bail and participate in the upcoming national elections after the lower court’s conviction.”
Five other accused in the case, including her son and BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment each. The court also fined the five accused Tk2.10 crore each.