BNP observes hunger strike protesting Khaleda’s jail sentence

The leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are observing a mass hunger strike programme in Dhaka across the country on Thursday protesting a jail sentence against its party chief Khaleda Zia and demanding immediate release of her. 

The five-hour long programme began Mahanagar Natyamancha in the capital at 10am and will continue till 4pm. 

Several hundred leaders and activists took part in the programme. 

On October 30, the High Court extended the jail term of former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from 5 years to 10 years in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

On Feb 8, Special Judge-5 Dr Akhtaruzzaman sentenced the former prime minister to five years in prison for embezzling funds donated to the Zia Orphanage Trust.