Rival Party Welcomes Bail for Bangladesh Ex-PM Zia

Text of report headlined “AL Welcomes Khaleda’s Bail; JP Not Happy With the Happening” published by Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star website on 10 September

In a rare political gesture, Awami League (AL) acting president Zillur Rahman yesterday expressed satisfaction over the bail of political archrival BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“This is good. We are happy as we are always against political persecution,” Zillur told reporters in a reaction after the High Court yesterday granted Khaleda three-months bail in the GATCO and Niko corruption cases.

The process is seen as apparent clearance of legal barriers to her freedom.

Talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence prior to holding talks with the Election Commission, Zillur said, “Our leader Sheikh Hasina has not been released yet. We want the government to withdraw all false charges against her immediately and release her permanently.”

Meanwhile Jatiya Party (JP) has expressed dissatisfaction over Khaleda’s bail.

Talking to The Daily Star JP presidium member Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu said, “The bail of Khaleda Zia proves that there is a unholy alliance between the executive and judiciary branches which is very sad for the nation and democracy.”

Originally published by The Daily Star website, Dhaka, in English 10 Sep 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring South Asia. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.