Jalil denounces implication of Hasina

In a statement, Jalil said the truth beneath this "false case" would be unveiled in a neutral court of law.

The Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAC) on Sunday pressed charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and five others in a corruption case concerning purchase of a navy frigate from the Republic of Korea.

The AL general secretary strongly condemned the indictment saying it was a case of "heinous political vengeance."

"In fact, the BNP-Jamaat alliance government is filing repressive and false cases one after another to protect itself from public outrage at its misrule as well as to divert public attention."

He said the then BNP government circulated tender for purchase of frigate for Bangladesh Navy in 1995-96. Later, Awami League came to power and continued the process in a bid to strengthen the country's defence.

"The Awami League government saved crores of taka by purchasing the frigate from South Korean Daewoo Company at a price lower than the international market price and with utmost transparency through state to state negotiations," Jalil claimed.

He said the frigate was purchased at the "lowest price of $99 million" by calling international tender and following all rules and procedures through DGTP of the Armed Forces which looks after purchase matters of the armed forces.

"This purchase process was explained to all senior officers of the Navy headquarters. The frigate took 36 months to be built. During the purchase and construction, four expert teams filed reports expressing their satisfaction and six expert officers of Bangladesh Navy looked after the construction at the Daewoo dockyard," Jalil said.