Bangladesh
Abdul Momen Will lobby for return of Tarique if I get instructions: Foreign Minister
Dhaka, August 3: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has said that if the Justice Department gives directions, he will lobby for the return of the convicted BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to the country. The minister said this in response to a question from journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday afternoon.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment by the court. When asked whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will take any initiative to bring him back to the country, he said, "If the concerned ministry requests us (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), we will certainly do so." We have already asked the British government to send those who are illegal. They haven't sent it yet. It is rather you ask our judiciary. They will guide us. Surely then we will lobby strongly. But the responsibility of sending is the government of that country."
When asked what status Tarique Rahman is in London, Dr. Momen said, "I cannot say that. I can't say right now. I am not omniscient like you."
In response to a question about the meeting with diplomats led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a hotel in Gulshan, the Foreign Minister said, "They can do that. It is a free country. Anyone can invite someone."
At that time, Momen said to the journalist who asked the question, "Do you find it difficult if they call?" In response, the journalist said, "They complain." In this context, the minister said, "Let them do it." We believe in people. We want to continue with the people. We don't like foreign coaches that much. It is good if they are development aids, we don't want the rest.'
The court sentenced BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to nine years imprisonment in the case of concealment of wealth information and acquisition of wealth beyond known income. At the same time, Tarique's wife, Dr. Zobaida Rahman, was sentenced to three years in prison. Judge Md. Asaduzzaman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court announced the verdict on Wednesday.
The court ordered Tarique Rahman's imprisonment for three years under Section 26(2) and six years under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act. The judge mentioned in the verdict that the two sentences will run together. According to Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, the court ordered Jobaida Rahman to be imprisoned for three years. In addition to the prison sentence, Tariq Rahman was fined Tk 3 crore by the court. He will have to serve three more months in default of fine.
