“Shakib Al Hasan may be a good cricketer, but he is a rotten person,” said D. Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on information and broadcasting affairs.

He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Tuesday (August 11).

Recently, Shakib Al Hasan told foreign media that he would return to Bangladesh and face trial if the government guaranteed his security. The former Awami League lawmaker has also expressed a desire to return to the country in December and could potentially return alongside Sheikh Hasina.

Responding to a question about Shakib at the press conference, which focused on the progress of various government activities, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said, “If Shakib Al Hasan comes to Bangladesh, do you think he will be unsafe? You answer that yourself.”

Shakib, once regarded as the poster boy of Bangladesh cricket, had also joined Sheikh Hasina’s online press conference on August 5. Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country amid the student-public uprising, a murder case was also filed against Shakib.

Criticising Shakib’s political stance, the prime minister’s adviser said, “Shakib may be a good cricketer. But he is a rotten person. Anyone who aligns himself with Hasina and continues to remain aligned with her—his statement also came on the 5th.”

Regarding Shakib’s return and security concerns, Dr Zahed said, “He will come to Bangladesh to face the cases, the law and the judicial process. If he lands at the airport, do you think people will mob him and harm him? Does he think that? Do any of us think that? No way!”

He added, “He will come and, with full security, face whatever allegations have been brought against him and comply with all the legal procedures. If he comes under those circumstances, I do not see any problem.”

The adviser also described Shakib’s statements as propaganda against the government.

“All these statements are actually propaganda against our government. If someone continues to speak while remaining aligned with Hasina, we don’t care,” he said.

Speaking about Sheikh Hasina, Dr Zahed said, “He (Shakib) is not more of a criminal than Hasina. Hasina herself has said that she will come in December and face the court. I have said many times that if she comes, she will return with full security. She will go through the judicial process with full security and enjoy all the rights that are available to her under the judicial process. Then, whatever decision the court makes, we will all accept it.”

He further said, “This is a democratic state. Even the most heinous criminal is entitled to whatever civil and constitutional rights they are guaranteed. Whether it is Shakib Al Hasan or Hasina, they will receive those rights. That’s for sure.”