Describing the Bangladesh government’s statements on extraditing BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman as ‘political rhetoric’, his legal counsel says only the British court can decide whether he will be sent back.
“The matter is not up to the Bangladesh government, it’s solely the British court’s authority,” Tarique’s lawyer Md Kamruzzaman told Bangla Tribune.
Tarique has been sentenced to life in prison over the deadly Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka.
He has been living in the UK since 2008 and running the party from London now with his mother and party chief Khaleda Zia incarcerated for corruption since early this year.
He was earlier sentenced to seven years in jail for money laundering and 10 years for corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust.
Following the verdict in the brazen grenade attack, the government has said that it will open talks with the UK to extradite the BNP leader.
Kamruzzaman says their next course of action will depend on the government’s move over his client.
Referring to Tarique’s inclusion in the Interpol red corner notice by Dhaka, he said, “Our firm got in touch with the Interpol on behalf of Tarique Rahman and his name was dropped following legal procedures.”
Kamruzzaman claimed his client’s name was dropped as the Interpol was convinced that the Bangladesh government’s steps were “politically motivated”.
On Dhaka’s initiatives to extradite Tarique, he said, “The UK government is well aware of the cases against him and the moves to take him back. And that’s why he has been permitted to stay in this country.”
The lawyer dismissed claims of Tarique taking British citizenship. However, Bangla Tribune investigations reveal that the BNP leader has been granted the status of indefinite leave to remain or permanent residency five years ago.
After going to the UK on parole citing medical reasons in 2008, Tarique sought political asylum, when he was granted a visa for two and half years, said people familiar with the issue.
Before the visa expired, Tarique filed for an extension. After five years, he was granted the status of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in line with the UK immigration laws.
ILR or permanent residency is an immigration status granted to a person who does not hold the right of abode in the (UK), but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on his or her stay and who is free to take up employment or study.