4300 BNP men held so far: Rizvi

Lawmen have arrested 4,300 BNP leaders and activists from the country centering the graft case verdict of their Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the party claimed today.

Around 4,300 BNP men have been arrested since January 30 centering the verdict, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said in a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan office in Dhaka.   

On Thursday, Khaleda was sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, which is being considered a blow to the party ahead of the upcoming national election.

The special court also sentenced Khaleda's eldest son and BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and four others to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Tk 2.10 crore each.