BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has sent a legal notice to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanding an apology for making 'malicious and defamatory' remarks about her reported assets abroad, reports UNB.
On behalf of Khaleda, her counsel and BNP joint secretary general Barrister Mahbubuddin Khokon sent the notice by post on Tuesday.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir disclosed this at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office.
In the notice, Khaleda demanded that the Prime Minister apologise unconditionally and publish it in the media by 30 days.
Or else, Khaleda will take legal steps to file a defamation suit against the Prime Minister demanding compensation for 'damaging' her reputation and image.
Earlier on December 7, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a press conference voiced her discontent as the mainstream media did not run any report on Khaleda Zia's 'assets in Saudi Arabia'.
According to some media reports based on the information by Global Intelligence Network' and 'Canadian TV channel The National, anti-corruption investigation in Saudi Arabia revealed that Khaleda and her family members have assets in that country. On December 8, BNP protested the PM's remarks and threatened to take legal action if Sheikh Hasina does not apologise. Eleven days after their threat, Khaleda sent the legal notice to the address of the Prime Minister and Awami President Sheikh Hasina.
"The allegation brought by you (PM) about Begum Khaleda Zia and her sons is fabricated, motivated and vindictive one. You've brought the allegation in a planned way against Bangladesh's most popular and clean politician Khaleda Zia to dent her image," the notice reads.
It also said the Prime Minister's defamatory statement caused serious damage to Khaleda. "We're urging you through the notice to offer an unconditional apology to Begum Khaleda Zia."
Meanwhile, another report adds: Awami League on Wednesday threatened to go for legal action if the legal notice sent by Khaleda Zia to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not withdrawn.
The threat came from a press conference held at the election conducting office of the ruling party at Dhanmondi where AL presidium member and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and AL publicity and publication secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud spoke. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has sent a legal notice to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanding an apology for making 'malicious and defamatory' remarks about her reported assets abroad.
