DPA
Dhaka
Police in Bangladesh have charged former prime minister Khaleda Zia with inciting violence and murder during anti-government protests led by her opposition party in January, police said yesterday.
Thirty-seven other activists with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were also charged with carrying out firebomb attacks that killed one bus passenger and injured 28 others in Dhaka, said policeman Bashir Ahmed.
“Khaleda Zia was charged with directing violence and murder,” the officer told reporters after submitting the charges before a magistrate court in Dhaka.
He added that the charges were based on confessions by two attackers.
Zia, who has been leading a 20-party opposition alliance, urged her supporters to blockade traffic on January 5 after she was prevented from joining a rally in the capital on the first anniversary of an election
boycotted by the opposition.
At least 120 people were killed, mostly in firebomb attacks on passenger buses and trucks, during three months of violence.
Zia wants the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hold an early general election, a demand rejected by the ruling Awami League party.
Murder in Bangladesh is punishable with the death sentence.
BNP leader Khaleda Zia
