DHAKA: Acting General Secretary of the ruling Awami League Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif Thursday said both the sons of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia would be put to trial on charges of corruption after bringing them back from abroad.

He also disclosed that investigation is underway against Khaleda Zia, the ex-PM, for “siphoning off wealth and cash stuffed in 185 pieces of luggage” at the last hours of the BNP-led government in 2006.  

Hanif made the observations at a press conference at the Awami League President’s political office at Dhanmondi in the city—incidentally at a time of high tensions between the government and the opposition parties.

He said, “The High Court has set October 3 for the next hearing on the petition regarding Arafat Rahman Coco’s parole. Action would be taken against him if the court cancels the parole of Coco.”

Hanif reminded that the government has come to power with more than two-thirds majority and they would take all necessary measures to ensure safety of the country’s people.

“If the opposition tries to create anarchy in the country to halt the trial of war criminals and of Tareqque and Coco, we will face them politically,” the AL leader said, in the wake of the BNP threat of anti-government movement.

Hanif made it clear that Awami League is not afraid of opposition threat of movement.

BDST: 1420 HRS, SEP 02, 2010.