DHAKA:  Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has no other way to get freed from jail without through the judicial process.

“Khaleda Zia is not a political prisoner. If she is a political prisoner, question arises about movement,” he said at a press briefing at his Secretariat office on Thursday (October 3).

Mentioning recent information unveiled by WikiLeaks on August 21 grenade attack, Dr Hasan said Tarique Rahman was the mastermind of the attack and Khaleda Zia was well informed about it.

He said Khaleda Zia is in prison being convicted in a graft case which only the court can release her.

The minister said BNP always gives threat that they will wage a movement to release Begum Khaleda Zia, but her release is up to the court only. 

He said BNP couldn’t wage any movement in the last 10 and a half years.  

A regards Khaleda Zia’s treatment, he said BNP lawmakers met with Khaleda Zia a few days ago and they are saying that they will send her abroad for treatment. At first, the matter of release will have to be solved and then they can decide where she will go.

BDST: 1943 HRS, OCT 3, 2019

AH/SMS