US, UK, Germany urge Bangladesh to uphold rule of law for Hasina

Dhaka, July 16 (UNI) The United States, United Kingdom and Germany have urged Bangladesh's army-backed caretaker government to ensure 'due process of law and international standards' in dealing with the country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was arrested today.

Hasina was arrested for the alleged extortion of TK 2.96 crore filed by a private trading company while serving as the Prime Minister from 1996-2001. Hasina however, told a metropolitan magistrate court that the case was false and politically motivated to disqualify her from participating in the country's next general elections. The court rejected her bail petition and sent her to jail.

''We are aware that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been arrested,'' a spokesperson for the US Embassy said.

''All individuals should be treated fairly and receive the full range of their legal and constitutional rights. It is also incumbent upon the government to prove its case in a court of law,'' he said.

''We are following all cases to see if they meet international standards of due process'', the spokesperson added.

The British mission said, ''We are aware that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been arrested. We call upon the caretaker government to ensure that due process is followed and the rule of law upheld.'' Commenting on Hasina's arrest, German Ambassador Frank Meyke noted it as a legal and internal matter of Bangladesh. However, the German diplomat also said it was incumbent on the government to prove its case in the court of law.

Meanwhile, a report from Reuters said her husband, nuclear physicist Doctor Wazed Ali, was rushed to hospital with cardiac problems shortly after his wife was detained. Local media quoted family sources as saying he was being treated at a city hospital. UNI