DHAKA: Leaders and activists of BNP started observing a half-day hunger strike demanding unconditional release of their Chairperson Khaleda Zia convicted in a corruption case last week.

The aggrieved supporters launched the hunger strike through reciting verses from the Quran at 10:00am Wednesday (February 14), before the Jatiya Press Club. It is scheduled to continue till 4:00pm. 

Meanwhile, BNP Standing committee members Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and the leaders of BNP-led 20-party alliance and other associated bodies joined the hunger strike.

However, a Dhaka special court sentenced Khaleda Zia to five years' rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8.

BDST: 1056 HRS, FEB 14, 2018
SI