Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Tuesday alleged that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government were responsible for the death of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, citing what he described as her prolonged suffering in jail.
“We might not have lost her so soon if she had not been tortured in prison at different times. I personally believe that the fascist prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government are definitely responsible for Begum Zia’s death,” Asif Nazrul said.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a special meeting of the Advisory Council at the State Guest House Jamuna in the afternoon.
Asif Nazrul said Khaleda Zia had been sent to jail on what he termed a “farcical” verdict and subjected to “unspeakable torture.” He claimed that the conviction against her had later been exposed as baseless through appeals and reviews.
“The Supreme Court, particularly the Appellate Division, has repeatedly stated in its judgments that the case in which Begum Zia was sentenced was fundamentally flawed, intentional and questionable,” he said.
Referring to the interim government’s role, the legal adviser said Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had personally monitored all matters related to Khaleda Zia’s treatment.
“If there had been any opportunity to send her abroad again for treatment, our government would have provided full cooperation. The chief adviser himself kept track of these issues,” he said, adding that the government’s misfortune was that it had not been able to take such steps earlier.
“Our greatest consolation is that she passed away with the honour, dignity and love of people across the country,” Asif Nazrul added.
He also said a meeting would be held at the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure adequate security for Khaleda Zia’s funeral and burial.
“We want tomorrow’s funeral and burial to be held in an orderly manner. We seek everyone’s cooperation,” he said, expressing gratitude to the media for what he described as their cooperation with the government since the fall of the previous regime.
