Govt head offer to Yunus under foreign influence not true: Nahid
National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has denied claims that Professor Muhammad Yunus was offered the position of head of an interim government under the influence of domestic or foreign powers.
Nahid Islam was questioned on Sunday (September 21) by Md Amir Hossain, a government-appointed lawyer representing three accused—including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal—following their testimonies in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed in July–August.
Alongside Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, the accused include former Police Inspector General (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who has admitted guilt and is testifying as an approver (state witness). He appeared in the tribunal as scheduled.
Responding to questioning, Nahid Islam said it was not true that the August 3 programme to overthrow the government was part of a long-planned strategy. He also denied that domestic or foreign powers were behind their movement and rejected claims that Professor Yunus had been proposed as head of an interim government under such influence.
During the proceedings, the prosecution raised objections. Prosecutor Md. Mizanul Islam argued that the government change could not be challenged, to which the tribunal responded that the matter was relevant.
Nahid Islam further stated that it was not true that Sheikh Hasina did not resign on August 5 or that she was forced to go to India.
Earlier, Nahid Islam had said that, as part of prior preparations, discussions had been held about forming a new government with Professor Yunus and that he had been proposed to assume the role of head of government even before the August 5 government overthrow last year.
The prosecution team included Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam, Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi MH Tamim, along with Shahidul Islam, Abdus Sattar Palwan, Mamunur Rashid, and others.
Meanwhile, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, testifying as a state witness in the crimes against humanity case, also appeared in the tribunal today.
Last year, on August 5, a student-led uprising led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, prompting her to flee to India. On August 8, Dr. Muhammad Yunus returned from France, and an interim government was formed with him as chief adviser.
Following the formation of the tribunal, several cases have been filed against the Prime Minister, ministers, state ministers, other cabinet members, the Police IGP, and other officials. While some cases are still under investigation, testimony continues in several others.