Dhaka: Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Friday stated that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was unjustly convicted in what he described as the most disgraceful trial in Bangladesh's history, referring to the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Addressing a condolence meeting at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Nazrul called the case against Khaleda Zia a 'sham and disgraceful judgment' in the country's judicial records.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Asif Nazrul recalled an incident from the trial where a defence lawyer asked Khaleda Zia if she had misappropriated orphan funds. Nazrul described how Khaleda Zia, hurt and astonished, repeated the question, 'Did I embezzle orphan money?' He stated that the court treated this as her statement and convicted her on that basis, declaring that there could not be a more disgraceful trial than this.
Nazrul highlighted a period when few dared to speak out in support of the BNP or against the perceived injustice done to Khaleda Zia. He mentioned that while searching for statements protesting the trial, only four people, both domestically and internationally, were willing to issue statements. He commented on the difficulty of finding people willing to support Khaleda Zia at that time but noted that the situation has since improved.
Asif Nazrul further expressed that Khaleda Zia remains in the hearts of the people, while former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been relegated to a place of rejection. He remarked that Bangladesh would flourish if the country followed Khaleda Zia's vision, emphasizing the need to uphold her ideals for a better future.
He thanked the fighters of the July uprising, noting that people in the country are now free to express their opinions without restriction. The meeting was attended by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, his family, senior BNP leaders, and eminent citizens from various professional groups, who paid tribute to Khaleda Zia.