BNP’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman has expressed his desire to return to Bangladesh through a legal process rather than by availing special privileges, according to his legal team.
Tarique Rahman has been residing in London for the past 16 years. He left Bangladesh in 2008, shortly after facing over 50 legal cases during the caretaker government and the subsequent Awami League administration.
Tarique Rahman has been residing in London for the past 16 years. He left Bangladesh in 2008, shortly after facing over 50 legal cases during the caretaker government and the subsequent Awami League administration.
Tarique Rahman, currently living in London, is keen to clear his name from the charges against him before returning to Bangladesh.
Legal experts have pointed out that for Tarique to be acquitted of his charges, he must return to Bangladesh and present himself in court. They also noted that the judiciary could play a role in ensuring a fair trial in the interests of justice.
Following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 and her subsequent flight to India, former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was released from custody the next day.
Since then, other BNP leaders who were incarcerated have also been granted bail. However, little progress has been made in resolving the legal cases against Rahman.
Tarique Rahman has been residing in London for the past 16 years. He left Bangladesh in 2008, shortly after facing over 50 legal cases during the caretaker government and the subsequent Awami League administration.
These cases include his conviction in the 21st August grenade attack, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment, alongside four other convictions.
With the recent political upheaval, questions have arisen about when Rahman might return to Bangladesh. According to his lawyer, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Tarique Rahman is determined to prove his innocence through legal means.
“Tarique Rahman has no intention of seeking special privileges. His wish is to return home after clearing his name through the legal process,” Kamal said.
“Sheikh Hasina’s government refused to renew his passport, but Rahman remains committed to upholding the law and the Constitution. We are pursuing legal avenues for the unresolved cases, and he is prepared to defend himself against those for which verdicts have already been delivered,” he added.
Senior lawyer SM Shahjahan added that Rahman has been unable to appeal the verdicts against him due to his extended stay in London. “In order to seek legal recourse and challenge these verdicts, he would need to surrender before the court, meaning he must first return to Bangladesh,” he explained.
Tarique Rahman travelled to London on September 11, 2008 for medical treatment and has since led the BNP’s organisational efforts from abroad, spearheading opposition movements against the Awami League government. Courtesy: Somoy TV Online
