BNP on Wednesday demanded the unconditional release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia and the withdrawal of conspiratorial cases against her as the party claims the government imprisoned her through a ‘dictated’ court verdict to keep her away from politics and elections.

“People know and believe that their beloved leader Khaleda has not committed any crime. Begum Khaleda Zia has been subjected to brutal repression only because of the government's political vengeance,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

In a statement, he also said imprisoning Khaleda out of political vengeance means imprisoning democracy. “The government has kept democracy captive by incarcerating Khaleda Zia. Democracy and Khaleda Zia are synonymous now.”

The statement was issued on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the jailing of the BNP chairperson.

On February 8, 2018, Khaleda,, was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The High Court later doubled her five-year jail term.

Khaleda, a former prime minister, was found guilty in another corruption case the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed her from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year. The government later extended the suspension several times.

“February 8, is a stigmatised day in the history of Bangladesh politics. On this day in 2018, the vengeful Awami League government unjustly jailed the most popular leader of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia in a in a false case of depoliticisation filed during 1/11,” Fakhrul said.

He said the government also kept her in jail for 25 months by snatching the BNP chief’s right to get bail from the court, threatening her life for lack of proper treatment.

The BNP leader said the government has kept Khaleda under house arrest by releasing her on conditions when her health condition deteriorated. 

Read more: BNP renews call for Khaleda’s unconditional release

He said though physicians repeatedly recommended sending Khaleda abroad for her advanced treatment, the government did not allow her to go there.

Fakhrul said it is as clear as daylight that the current 'fascist' government kept Khaleda in jail through a ‘dictated verdict’ snatching her all rights only to continue its undemocratic, anti-people, illegal activities, corruption, looting, and farce in the name of votes.

He said their party placed the 10-point demand, including holding the next election under a caretaker government, and it has got massive support from the country’s people. “The government is plotting to perpetuate one-party authoritarian rule by ignoring the 10-point demand."

The BNP leader said the government cannot suppress the movement for realising the 10-point demand by resorting to various repressive acts. “Overcoming all obstacles, the movement is moving forward at a fast pace… Inshallah this struggle is progressing towards success.”

Fakhrul hoped that democracy, the cherished dream of Khaleda Zia, will be restored in the country through an election under a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government after ousting the current undemocratic and anti-people regime.