The BNP has claimed that its jailed party chief Khaleda Zia’s health condition has further deteriorated.
“Her condition continues to worsen. The BNP as well as the people of the country is concerned,” Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media on Saturday (Apr 21).
BNP Chairperson Khaleda is serving a five-year term at the old jailhouse in Dhaka since Feb 8, when she was convicted of embezzling foreign donations made to the Zia Orphanage Trust.
Speaking at a media call at BNP’s Naya Paltan headquarters, Mirza Fakhrul claimed that the jail authorities have ignored the recommendation by medical board of examining Khaleda by an orthopaedic doctor.
“According to media reports, the party chief is suffering from several complications, especially acute rheumatic arthritis,” he said reiterating the BNP’s call to move Khaleda to United Hospital under supervision of her personal doctors.
On Thursday, three senior party leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul were turned down by the authorities from meeting Khaleda in jail despite prior permission.
The BNP secretary general said on Saturday that they were not provided with a “specific reason” for that.
“On Friday, her family members were not allowed to meet ... Which has spiked further concerns,” he added.
Describing charges against Khaleda as a politically motivated attempt to shut her and the BNP out of the next election, he said, “The ruling Awami League has jailed Khaleda for an election similar to the one held in 2014.”