No one is above law, regardless of social standing: Quader on Yunus verdict
Chairman of Grameen Telecom and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Md Yunus along with three others were sentenced to six months in jail and fined Tk25,000 in a labour law violation case on Monday
There is no opportunity to go scot-free after committing a crime irrespective of their social position, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader as a reaction to the verdict of a labour law case in which Dr Yunus along with three others were sentenced to six months imprisonment.
"I just want to say, are you, your status, your position, your personality above the law? Is Dr Md Yunus above the law and court?" said Obaidul Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister during a press conference at the Awami League President's political office in Dhanmondi of the capital on Tuesday (2 January).
He also said Dr Md Yunus was sentenced by the court, not Awami League.
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Chairman of Grameen Telecom and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Md Yunus along with three others were sentenced to six months in jail and fined Tk25,000 following the hearing of a labour law violation case at Dhaka's Labour Court on Monday (1 January).
Regarding BNP's political programmes Obaidul Quader said, "BNP is planning secret attacks and sabotage under the guise of public programmes like distributing leaflets. Everyone should be aware about this."
Obaidul Quader also said it is clear from the public participation in election activities that the 7 January election will be free and fair.
"But BNP and their allies are still unilaterally opposing [the election]. There is no chance of halting the election no matter what terrorist activities BNP does," added Obaidul Quader.
The Bridges minister said, "Suddenly they [BNP] may turn towards assassinations, and sneak attacks. That is what they are preparing for. Now we are getting information that even if silence is shown by distribution of leaflets, they will take up arms."
Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus and three other senior officials of the organisation have been sentenced to six months imprisonment and fined Tk30,000 each in a case filed on charges of violating labour law.
The charges include failing to provide a 5% dividend to the Grameen Telecom workers, not regularising 101 staff, and not compensating workers for public holidays.
Following the verdict, Dr Yunus told reporters, "We are being punished for a crime we did not commit. It was my fate, the nation's fate. We have accepted this verdict, but will appeal against this verdict and continue fighting against this sentence."
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said Bangladesh's relationship with the United States (US) will not be affected by the verdict over Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus.
Amnesty International said the conviction of 83-year-old Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus is an abuse of labour laws and a misuse of the justice system to settle political vendettas.
Protesting the verdict during a virtual conference on Monday, Rizvi said, "The continuous criticism and threats against Dr Yunus by Sheikh Hasina prove that the verdict has been given out of revenge."
