BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed today said the conviction and sentence against the party chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case will be a turning point for the party.

“It is a political blunder on the part of the government, which cannot realise the severity and depth of the reaction of the verdict,” Moudud said adding that the BNP chairperson was sent to the jail through “bringing false and fabricated charge against her.”

The former BNP minister said these at a press conference organised by Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a body of pro-BNP lawyer, at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium this afternoon.

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Two-pronged battle, in court, in streets

Barrister Moudud said the people of the country will reply to the “offences” committed by the government through ballot in next national election.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been kept in a solitary confinement where there is no other prisoner. But “normally it is the death row convicts who are kept in solitary confinement” the Barrister said.

Barrister Moudud demanded of the government to keep the BNP chairperson in a normal place and to provide her with facilities she deserves.

The BNP leader also said they will continue the struggle to release Khaleda Zia from jail.

Supreme Court Bar Association President and BNP Leader Advocate Zainul Abedin, who was at the same press conference, said in a written statement that people of the country have not accepted the verdict against Khaleda Zia as a normal verdict.

The police administration has banned meeting, gathering and procession in Dhaka city for independent period at the directive of the government, and therefore the people’s constitutional and fundamental rights have been damaged, Zainul also said in his statement.

Zainul Abedin announced peaceful programme from February 11 to February 15 at all the district bar associations’ premises demanding withdrawal of all false cases against Khaleda and in protest against wholesale arrest of political leaders and workers.