Fakhrul sued for calling AL 'killer party'

A defamation case was filed against BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday for terming the ruling Awami League a “killer party” and its chief Sheikh Hasina a “killer”.

Nur-e-Alam Siddique, vice president of Awami Matsyajibi League, a pro-AL organisation, filed the suit against the BNP leader with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka.

Taking cognisance of the case, Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Rani Chakraborty yesterday asked Paltan Police Station OC to investigate the matter and submit a report to the court within September 15.

"The Awami League is a killer party and its president Sheikh Hasina is a killer too," Fakhrul told a press conference at the BNP Nayapaltan headquarters on August 24.

The comments were published in several newspapers the following day which many AL leaders said tarnished the images of Hasina and the Awami League.

The BNP leader made the remark three days after the prime minister alleged BNP chief Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and her cabinet members were involved in the gruesome August 21, 2004, grenade attack on an AL rally in the capital.

Hasina made the allegation at a programme marking the 10th anniversary of the attack.

The grenade attack killed 24 AL leaders and activists and injured over 300 people. Hasina, who was the then opposition leader, narrowly escaped the assassination attempt.