None but legal battle can free Khaleda: Hanif

Awami League (AL) acting general secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif urged on Wednesday the BNP leaders to free their leader Khaleda Zia through legal battle instead of threatening to wage movement, reports BSS.

"BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is now in jail being convicted in a case of embezzlement of money of orphans. Her son BNP leader Tarique Rahman is a fugitive in London being convicted in corruption and terrorism cases," he said.

The AL leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by Swapno Foundation at the National Press Club in the city, marking the arrest of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on July 16 in 2007 by the caretaker government from her Dhanmondi Sudhasadan residence.

Hanif said Awami League was born through movement and struggle. So, giving threats of movement to AL is ridiculous, he added.

"Legal process is the way to secure release of Khaleda Zia, Otherwise, clemency will have to be sought to the President . . . there is no other option," he said and urged BNP leaders to follow the legal process to free their leader.