At least four countries of the world have alerted its citizens for traveling or living in Bangladesh centering the verdict of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a corruption case.
The governments of United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have issued travel alerts on their websites requesting their citizens in Bangladesh to avoid areas that generate large crowds and to monitor local media.
The US Embassy in Dhaka on February 6 issued a demonstration alert throughout Dhaka and all major cities in Bangladesh.
The alert said, ‘Demonstrations may take place on February 8, 2018 in conjunction with the expected announcement of a verdict in a court case against opposition leader and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Demonstrations may or may not affect local transportation services, schools, shopping malls, and infrastructure’.
The United Kingdom on February 7 issued foreign travel advice for Bangladesh, asking its citizens to be vigilant at all times and stay away from large gatherings and avoid political offices and rallies.
The advice said, ‘Demonstrations can turn violent at any time and lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation’.
It also requested citizens to avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.
Australian government also added a warning, saying the verdict may disrupt traffic and public transport including in the vicinity of the Australian High Commission.
A Dhaka court has sentenced former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to five years imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on Thursday.
Judge Md. Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Court-5 passed the order in presence of Khaleda Zia on Thursday.
Her son and BNP’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and four others have also been given 10 years imprisonment in the case and a fine of 2.10 crore taka each.
AH
