Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, acting secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina must return to the country through legal means and serve the punishment handed down under the 1973 law for crimes against humanity.
He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing journalists after a protest march organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal, the BNP's youth wing, against what they called terrorism and anarchy by the banned Awami League. The march began at the National Press Club and concluded at Shahbagh intersection.
Punishment for crimes against humanity
"Hasina must serve every punishment handed down for crimes against humanity, killings of people, students and laborers, as well as those cases still pending trial," Rizvi said.He also stated that the nationalist forces could not be suppressed through enforced disappearances, killings and various forms of oppression.
Legal process for return
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Pratidin reported that Hasina will be brought back through legal procedures. Kaler Kantho reported that Hasina has no scope to obtain a passport.Regarding the law minister's remarks, Rizvi said, "Sheikh Hasina will return through legal means; what they will do is their matter."
The protest march also reportedly involved incidents of cocktail explosions and arson, though detailed accounts of these events were not provided in the reports.
