DHAKA, 20 July 2007 — Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said yesterday she was deeply shocked by the arrest of Awami League chief Hasina Wajed, on corruption charges and called for her to be freed.
Security forces detained Hasina, Khaleda’s archrival and also a former prime minister, on Monday and a court sent her to jail over allegations of extortion.
“I am deeply shocked to see the harassment and hassles faced by a former prime minister, a respected citizen and daughter of a national leader,” a statement issued by Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) quoted her as saying.
It said Khaleda demanded Hasina’s immediate and unconditional release.
Hasina is daughter of Bangladesh’s independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was killed in a 1975 coup that paved the way for Khaleda’s late husband, Gen. Ziaur Rahman, to eventually become president of the republic.
The two women have reportedly not spoken to each other throughout the past 15 years, when they alternated in power.
Khaleda also faces charges of extortion and abuse of power, and analysts say she could also be detained soon.
Both former prime minister deny any wrongdoing and say the charges are designed to force them out of politics.
Hasina’s lawyers said they would try to meet her in jail to discuss her defense, but that she probably would not be able to get bail before the prosecution begins in a special anti-corruption court later this month or in early August.
“As the former prime minister has been detained under emergency laws, a petition seeking her bail won’t be accepted at the court,” senior lawyer Mahbub-e-Alam told reporters after meeting Zillur Rahman, acting president of Hasina’s Awami League.
“But we are preparing to challenge the implication of the extortion charges in the High Court and seek a decision.” Police filed two cases against Hasina in June for extorting 80 million taka ($1.16 million) from two businessmen. Monday’s arrest was related to one of those cases.
Meanwhile, some 300 men and women observed a token hunger strike yesterday in Gopalganj to press for the release of Hasina. Activists of Awami League’s student front Bangladesh Chattra League also held demonstrations at several places as part of their three-day protest against Hasina’s arrest.
