Khaleda’s bail depends on court: Quader

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said the court will decide whether BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia would be freed on bail or not for receiving treatment abroad.

"How can the government push for her bail? Won't it be disrespect for the court?" he said while talking to journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

He said BNP MP Harunur Rashid asked him to inform the Prime Minister that Khaleda Zia is intending to go abroad for treatment if she gets bail. "I informed the PM about it but she said it is a matter of the court." 

Khaleda's bail appeal will be heard at the court if her physicians get such reports to advise her treatment abroad, he said adding, "Judges will decide….the government has nothing to do with it." 

Although BNP internally seeking help for Khaleda's release but publicly they want to free Khaleda through a movement, Quader said, "I think they should do the movement and free their chairperson by creating an outburst of demonstration."   

"But in practice, I'm not seeing the sign of any movement. I'm suggesting them to wage a movement but that can't be done from abroad. Besides, there's no issue for movement in the country," he added.

Meanwhile, BNP MP Harunur Rashid on Tuesday said their jailed chairperson Khaleda Zia is willing to go abroad for treatment if she is granted bail.

"She (Khaleda) needs better treatment immediately at a specialised hospital abroad for the physical problems she's facing now. I call upon the government not to deprive her of the right to get bail," the BNP leader said.

Khaleda has been receiving treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University since April 1 last.

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case in February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both the cases are 'politically motivated'.