BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman are likely to be released this week, said party sources.
Tarique, also senior joint secretary general of BNP, might go to Germany or the United States for treatment after his release within a couple of days. His mother however will not leave the country, said leaders and lawyers of the now detained former prime minister.
Meanwhile, BNP chief’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, who was released for two months on an executive order Thursday, will fly to Bangkok today for treatment.
Accompanied by his wife Shamila Rahman, two daughters and a brother-in-law, he will take a Thai Airways flight at 12:30pm, said family sources.
He was examined by Dr Chowdhury Meshkat, an associate professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), at his cantonment residence yesterday morning.
His condition remains unchanged, Dr Meshkat told reporters.
He added that Koko who has long been suffering from various medical conditions might be taken to another country if proper treatment is not available at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand.
Insiders say BNP will take part in both the dialogue with the government and election after release of its chairperson.
Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah, an adviser to Khaleda Zia, yesterday said, “With the release of Koko, the party has moved a step closer to the talks and election.”
He was talking to reporters at his Mohakhali residence.
Lawyers of Khaleda Zia said they hope their client will be released through a legal process.
Referring to the release of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, Nasiruddin Asim, BNP chairperson’s counsel, told The Daily Star, “I hope the government won’t create any obstacle to her getting freed on bail with no strings attached.”
Her [Khaleda Zia] release will make the ongoing dialogue between the government and political parties fruitful, which in turn will help create an atmosphere congenial to holding a free and fair election, he added.
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain in a statement yesterday welcomed the release of Koko.
“I hope good sense will prevail and the government will release Khaleda Zia and Tarique without delay,” he said.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, Daily Bangladesh News, News, Politics
