BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that the Awami League is purchasing crude explosives (cocktails) using money looted from various banks to carry out acts of sabotage.He made the remarks on Monday (17 November) at a press conference held at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka.Rizvi said the BNP wants a peaceful Bangladesh where people of all views can express their opinions freely and where elections are held smoothly, fairly, and in an inclusive manner. Commenting on the trial of Sheikh Hasina, he said, “If proper punishment is delivered for Sheikh Hasina’s crimes, it will set an example. The previous fascist government controlled the media to spread propaganda. The people believe there will be no more guided courts like those during the Sheikh Hasina era. The people want justice—and they are witnessing that justice being carried out.”

Rizvi further alleged that law enforcement agencies under the previous government were responsible for the killings of Abu Sayeed, Mugdho, and Wasim Akram. “Their brutality—even killing children—still haunts our memory,” he said.

The BNP spokesperson claimed that those who committed crimes during the “fascist era” are now the ones setting buses on fire. “They are buying cocktails with money looted from various banks. Funds embezzled from the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail projects are being used to finance acts of sabotage,” he alleged.
He added that during the previous regime, the media was controlled to spread misinformation against pro-democracy activists, and BNP repeatedly provided evidence that their party had no links to arson attacks. “The real perpetrators of arson are now visible,” he said.

Criticizing India, Rizvi remarked that any directives issued by Sheikh Hasina from India have no legal validity. “Why is India allowing this to happen? By sheltering a fugitive and enabling acts of sabotage against Bangladesh, India is violating legal and diplomatic norms. The people of Bangladesh do not look kindly on such actions,” he added.

Rizvi also announced that, as in previous years, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed party members not to hold any celebrations, including cake-cutting, on his upcoming birthday on Thursday (20 November). Anyone planning such an event has been asked to donate the money instead.

BNP Joint Secretaries General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohail and Abdus Salam Azad, and Organizing Secretary Sayeedul Alam Babul, among others, were present at the press conference.