Envoy to discuss Tarique’s repatriation with UK govt: Anisul

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq today said the government wants to bring back BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman from London.

“Tarique Rahman has been convicted by Bangladeshi courts. He is a convicted accused. He should be put behind bars, but instead he is living in Britain. So the government wants to bring him back,” he said.

The minister said these while talking to newsmen after holding a meeting with British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson at his Gulshan residence in the capital.

The minister said he sought repatriation of Tarique on two grounds.

“One is, if the United Kingdom government provides political asylum to Tarique, other accused may also try to use it as an example. The other ground is, as he (Tarique) has been convicted by the country’s court, he should be put behind bars,” Anisul added.

The law minister said the United Kingdom government does not want their relations with Bangladesh to get jeopardised over Tarique issue.

“So, we have discussed the matter with the British High Commissioner, and now he will discuss the matter with his government,” Anisul further said, expressing his hope that the result of these talks would be positive.

While replying a question on international recognition for observing March 25 as Genocide Day, the minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given necessary directions in this regard, adding, “We are preparing a plan as per those directions.”