BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday served a legal notice on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seeking an apology from the PM for making “malicious and defamatory” remarks about her alleged assets abroad.

In the notice, Khaleda demanded that Hasina apologise “unconditionally” and publicise it within 30 days of receiving the notice.

“Or else, the BNP chairperson will take measures to file a defamation suit against the prime minister, demanding compensations for damaging her reputation and image,” it said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir disclosed the issuance of the notice while briefing the media at the party's Nayapaltan office yesterday.

Earlier at a press conference at the Gono Bhaban on December 7, Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, expressed displeasure that the mainstream media did not run any report on the BNP chief and her family members' reported assets and investments in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

Some media outlets ran reports that an anti-corruption probe in Saudi Arabia revealed that Khaleda and her family members have assets in that country, attributing those to “Global Intelligence Network” and “Canadian TV channel The National”.

On December 8, the BNP secretary general formally protested the PM's remarks and threatened to take legal action if she does not withdraw her remarks and apologise.

Yesterday, BNP Joint Secretary General and Khaleda's counsel Mahbubuddin Khokon sent the notice to the Prime Minister's Office by post, party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told this newspaper.

"The allegations you [the PM] brought against Begum Khaleda Zia and her sons are fabricated and motivated," reads the legal notice.

It describes the PM's comments as “malicious, defamatory, deceitful and insidious”, and says those have caused “a serious damage” to Khaleda's reputation and image.

"We are urging you [the PM] through the notice to offer an unconditional apology to Begum Khaleda Zia."

The notice alleges that Hasina made the “malicious” comments to tarnish the BNP chief's social and political image and reputation at home and abroad.

"As per the law, you [the PM] are responsible for the irreparable losses and damages caused by the defamatory comments," it mentions.

Meanwhile, Hasan Mahmud, AL publicity and publication affairs secretary, said the legal notice was issued to divert people's attention from Zia family's corruption.

He also threatened to take counter legal action if Khaleda does not withdraw the legal notice.

"If they [the BNP] don't withdraw the legal notice, we will take legal action against them," he said hours after the BNP disclosed the issuance of the legal notice.

Hasan was speaking at a press conference at the AL president's political office in Dhanmondi.

The AL leader said the fact that Khaleda's sons were involved in corruption during the BNP-led government's tenure has been proved through the verdicts of several courts.

AL Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, who was present there, questioned how Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman is leading a life of luxury in the UK.

“What is the source of the money?” she asked.