New Delhi: In yet another move to patronise Islamists, the interim regime in Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus is understood to have taken steps to give reprieve to alleged Al Qaeda linked terrorist Syed Ziaul Haque or Major Zia and pardon his death sentence.
Major Zia, whose name has been removed from Bangladesh’s most-wanted terrorist list, has a dubious past, experts on Bangladesh’s internal affairs claimed.
Zia had been on Bangladesh’s most-wanted list for his alleged involvement in the 2016 killings of Faisal Arefin Deepan, publisher of Bangladesh’s Jagriti Prokashona, and the murder of secular activists in Kalabagan, Dhaka.
He also played a key role in a failed military coup aimed at removing Sheikh Hasina in 2011, sources recalled. Upon his return to Dhaka from Islamabad, Zia submitted a petition on December 29 seeking exoneration from all charges.
In December 2021, the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) office announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Major Zia and Akram Hossain, who were involved in the February 2015 terrorist attack in Dhaka, which resulted in the death of US citizen Avijit Roy and severe injuries to his wife, Rafida Bonya Ahmed.
Major Zia developed close links with ISI and was accused of being involved in several terror activities, which led to his expulsion from the military. He is also accused of maintaining close ties with outlawed terror group JMB or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen.
Since capturing power through “revolution”, the interim regime has been giving reprieve to terror masterminds, including a minister under the BNP government, and seeking to develop closer ties with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia flew to London on a special royal air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday for medical treatment. The two-time former PM, who is the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is reportedly suffering from ailments including liver cirrhosis, cardiac disease and kidney problems. Khaleda’s son Tareque Zia is in exile in London but plans to return to contest elections with the BNP calling for early elections.
Critics said that Khaleda’s exit from Bangladesh may have been part of a deal with the interim regime which has now ensured the exit of both Zia and Hasina from Dhaka. This has often been described as the Minus-2 formula in Bangladesh to pave the way for a third party that Yunus wants to form comprising students.
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Zia had been on Bangladesh’s most-wanted list for his alleged involvement in the 2016 killings of Faisal Arefin Deepan, publisher of Bangladesh’s Jagriti Prokashona, and the murder of secular activists in Kalabagan, Dhaka.
He also played a key role in a failed military coup aimed at removing Sheikh Hasina in 2011, sources recalled. Upon his return to Dhaka from Islamabad, Zia submitted a petition on December 29 seeking exoneration from all charges.
In December 2021, the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) office announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Major Zia and Akram Hossain, who were involved in the February 2015 terrorist attack in Dhaka, which resulted in the death of US citizen Avijit Roy and severe injuries to his wife, Rafida Bonya Ahmed.
Major Zia developed close links with ISI and was accused of being involved in several terror activities, which led to his expulsion from the military. He is also accused of maintaining close ties with outlawed terror group JMB or Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen.
Since capturing power through “revolution”, the interim regime has been giving reprieve to terror masterminds, including a minister under the BNP government, and seeking to develop closer ties with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia flew to London on a special royal air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday for medical treatment. The two-time former PM, who is the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is reportedly suffering from ailments including liver cirrhosis, cardiac disease and kidney problems. Khaleda’s son Tareque Zia is in exile in London but plans to return to contest elections with the BNP calling for early elections.
Critics said that Khaleda’s exit from Bangladesh may have been part of a deal with the interim regime which has now ensured the exit of both Zia and Hasina from Dhaka. This has often been described as the Minus-2 formula in Bangladesh to pave the way for a third party that Yunus wants to form comprising students.
