The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Leaders of Barisal district and upazila Awami League said here yesterday that former Al chief whip Abul Hasanat Abdullah, now on the run to avert imprisonment on corruption and tax evasion charges, will appear before the court soon and contest the upcoming parliamentary election.

Addressing a press conference at the Reporters' Unity office in Barisal city, the local AL leaders claimed that the cases for which Hasanat was sentenced to suffer imprisonment were false and politically motivated.

After 11/1 Hasanat was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment in corruption and tax evasion cases. Trial of another two cases in connection with possessing illegal arms forgery is now pending.

He fled the country just before the 1/11. He could not even be voter as he was staying away from the country during the registration of voters' names.

The name of Hasanat was recommended by local selection committee as the lone candidate for contesting the national election from his home constituency comprising Agoiljhara and Gournadi upazilas.

The name of Hasanat also topped the list of Barisal-2 (Uzirpur-Banaripara upazilas ) and Barisal-3 (Babuganj-Muladi upazilas).

Legal procedures for the surrender of Hasant and enlisting his name as voter are now underway, local AL leaders told the press conference.

The press conference was addressed, among others, by local AL leaders Advocate Abdul Malek Munshi and Advocate Talukder Md.Yunus.