UK Open to Assisting Bangladesh with Tarique Rahman’s Repatriation

By Staff Correspondent

The United Kingdom is willing to help Bangladesh repatriate Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, according to Catherine West, the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday after meeting with Bangladesh’s foreign affairs advisor Md. Touhid Hossain, West said no specific individuals were discussed during their talks. However, she noted that if the Bangladesh government seeks Rahman’s return, the UK would be ready to cooperate.

West emphasized that their discussions focused on supporting democracy in Bangladesh and the need for equal opportunities in the political landscape. She added that the UK is keenly interested in Bangladesh’s democratic future and expressed hope that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus might play a role in shaping a framework for this.

Tarique Rahman left for London on September 11, 2008, after being released on bail following his arrest during the military-backed caretaker government in 2007. Since then, he has led BNP’s political activities from abroad. The U.S. imposed sanctions on him in 2009, which are still in place.

In 2018, after Khaleda Zia was jailed, Rahman took over as acting chairman of the BNP. Speculation about his return to Bangladesh has grown since August 5, especially after an interim government headed by Dr. Yunus was installed on August 8. However, there has been no official move by the interim administration to facilitate his return.

Rahman has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the 2004 grenade attack on a political rally and has also been convicted in several corruption cases. He remains in the UK, designated as a fugitive by Bangladeshi authorities due to his failure to appear in court.