Bangladesh News

Detained Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil yesterday said he himself wrote the much talked about letter to the chief adviser appealing for his release on grounds of his health.

“Obviously, the letter was written by me as the signature was mine,” Jalil said.

Jalil, who was shifted last night to Labaid Hospital from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for better treatment, made the remark talking to a private TV channel.

Asked about his indication in the letter of quitting politics, Jalil said, “I’m a heart patient. My condition is not good. I would like to live well.”

The AL leader said he might join politics if he is released and can get over the illness.

Replying to a question about another much talked about topic of political reforms, Jalil said, “Who doesn’t want reforms? I myself want reforms.”

Other than the brief interview with the TV channel, he did not say anything else about his letter to the chief adviser while being shifted to Labaid Hospital.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG Prison) Maj Haider said Abdul Jalil was shifted to Labaid in response to a letter from his wife Rehana Jalil to the inspector general of prisons (IG Prison) for arranging better treatment for her husband. Since Jalil has been under treatment of special physician Dr Matiur Rahman of Labaid, he was shifted there.

In reply to a question, the DIG said Jalil was scheduled to leave for Singapore today for treatment, but, since he is a prisoner, he could not go. At Labaid, Jalil will remain under police custody.

He was arrested on May 28 under the ongoing drive launched by the interim government against serious crimes and corruption, which also landed many other high-profile persons, including politicians, in jail.