Newly Freed Leader Of Bangladesh Opposition Asks Masses To Hold Back In Transition Period

JAKARTA - The newly released chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia, called for all parties to exercise restraint as the country moves towards the formation of a transitional government.

The transitional period has been going on since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled following weeks of violent protests.

In his first public speech after being released from house arrest, former Prime Minister Zia urged party members and the wider community to refrain from acts of destruction and revenge, as well as respect all religions and communities.

"This victory has led us to new possibilities," Zia said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, August 7.

We must build a prosperous Bangladesh from the ruins of democracy and corruption. Youth heroes make impossible through the deadly struggle. Respect hundreds of martyrs (who died during student protests)," he added,

Zia (79), delivered a public speech in front of the BNP headquarters in Dhaka after more than six and a half years of not presenting themselves.

He delivered the speech via video recorded at the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for various complications of his illness.

"A prosperous Bangladesh must be built on the basis of human rights, social justice, and equality," he continued.

His son, Tarique Rahman, who is now in exile in England, also delivered a speech at the rally virtually.

Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered Zia's release on Monday (5/8), hours after Hasina fled the country amid widespread student protests for opposing the public job quota.

Earlier in February 2018, the court sentenced Zia to five years in prison. He was detained in an unmaintained prison in Dhaka Lama. Meanwhile, in March 2020, he was released from prison for health reasons and placed under house arrest under government executive orders.

Zia, chairman of BNP and former prime minister of Bangladesh for two terms (1991-1996 and 2001-2006), have been detained since 2018.