Khaleda accused of intimidating witnesses

Speakers at a discussion in the city here on Monday alleged that opposition leader Khaleda Zia is intimidating the witnesses to war crime cases to impede the trial process and siding with the war criminals nakedly, reports UNB. They came up with the allegation at a discussion titled 'Conspiracy of BNP and Jamaat against Independence and Sovereignty: Our Duties' held at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU). People's Expectation, a pro-Awami League platform, arranged the programme with its convener MA Karim in the chair. Industries Minister Dilip Barua attended it as the chief guest while State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Capt (retd) AB Tajul Islam, State Minister for Law Adv Quamrul Islam, AL organising secretary Ahmad Hossain spoke at the programme as special guests. "No conspiracy, no pressure will work," Industries Minister Dilip Barua said. He alleged that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia opposed the trial of war criminals and challenged the trial. "This is unfortunate and it proves that their words do not match their actions." Adv Quamrul Islam said Khaleda Zia is applying all her techniques to save the war criminals. "She's trying to intimidate the witnesses with her public statements." He said Khaleda has been publicly talking against the freedom fighters and took her position beside the Jamaat leaders. "No one but Khaleda can only claim that top Jamaat leaders were not involved in war crimes." "No threat will work. The freedom fighters won't step back from giving their statements against the war criminals," Tajul Islam said. He alleged that Khaleda is hatching conspiracy to foil the next election. "It'll remain a dream. Better come to parliament and speak up about your demands." He criticised BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir saying, he is 'lying continuously'.