BNP today criticised the authorities for issuing an arrest warrant against the party’s senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman and termed it illegal.

“Tarique Rahman is not a fugitive at all and his arrest warrant is totally unlawful,” BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon today made the claim at a press conference held at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka this afternoon.

“On the basis of court order, Tarique Rahman has been staying in London for treatment and thus failed to face the lawsuits filed against him in the country,” Ripon said.

Despite having court order, Tarique Rahman has been shown fugitive unlawfully, Ripon claimed.   

Ripon, also foreign affairs secretary of the party, said political leaders speak over many issues.

Congenial political atmosphere is hampered if legal actions are taken on the basis of such speech, Ripon said.

The case that has been filed against the BNP leader is an unexpected move. Tarique’s statement should be answered politically, he added.

On Sunday, a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman in a sedition case filed for calling Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman “Pakbandhu” (friend of Pakistan).