Tough movement if all cases against Tarique not withdrawn: Nationalist Lawyers Forum
Those accused in July genocide should be returned to country and tried, they demand
The Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum has threatened to initiate a tough movement if all cases filed against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman are not swiftly withdrawn.
During a press conference at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium today, the forum demanded the immediate withdrawal of all alleged false cases against Rahman, warning that the legal community would be compelled to take to the streets once again if their demands are not met.
In a written statement, Advocate Zainul Abedin, the forum's president, said, "Various political parties and student bodies have been fighting for democracy against the fascist government for the last 17 years. Throughout this struggle, the BNP and its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman have provided unwavering leadership alongside other political parties. All the cases filed against him are politically motivated."
He further alleged that verdicts in several false cases had been announced on the orders of Sheikh Hasina, the fugitive head of the fascist regime.
"The authorities concerned had yet to take any action regarding these political cases against Tarique Rahman. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all false cases filed against him," he added.
The forum president demanded that those accused in the July genocide, including the fugitive Sheikh Hasina, be brought back to the country and tried.
We call upon the current interim government to swiftly implement necessary reforms and announce a roadmap for elections to restore democracy, the lawyer said.
The press conference was attended by Barrister Kayser Kamal, general secretary of the forum; Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association; Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, a central leader of the Lawyers' Forum; and several other notable figures.