PM laments she couldn't put Zia on trial

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said slain president Ziaur Rahman was involved in the August 15, 1975 assassination and expressed her helplessness in bringing him to justice.

“Zia's fate was inevitable (for the murder). I regret that I couldn't bring him to trial for the (August 15) assassination” as he himself was killed in a 1981 military coup, she told a discussion to mark the beginning of the month of mourning.

Hasina said after grabbing power following the August 15 massacre, Zia rewarded the self-confessed killers with diplomatic assignments abroad “as he was involved in the murder”.

Bangladesh Krishak League (BKL) organised the discussion in front of Bangabandhu's Dhanmondi 32 residence, now Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

The discussion was followed by a voluntary blood donation camp commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's death 43 years ago.

The premier said the forces, which were defeated in 1971, murdered Bangabandhu and most of his family members to avenge their defeat in the Liberation War.

“They thought that there will be no existence of independence in Bangladesh after the death of the father of the nation,” she said.

Earlier, the prime minister unveiled the cover of a BKL publication -- “Krishaker Kantho”.

At the beginning of the discussion, a minute of silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memories of Bangabandhu, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other victims of the August 15 massacre.