Never met Safadi: Joy

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has trashed Israeli politician Mendi N Safadi’s claim that they had a meeting in Washington. He said they had never met, reports news agency UNB.

In a Facebook post, Joy wrote, "I have never met Safadi, either in Washington or anywhere else. He is lying. That he is willing to lie for the BNP also proves that he is involved in a conspiracy with the BNP. Otherwise why would he lie on their behalf?"

Joy, also the prime minister's ICT adviser, came up with the Facebook statement early Sunday, a day after the Israeli politician in an interview with BBC Bangla, claimed that he had visited Joy's office in Washington last year.

However, the BBC report did not include Joy's version in this regard.

On Saturday, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif also dismissed Safadi's claim, terming it a 'drama staged by BNP'.

In his status, Joy further said, "The BNP is such a stupid party, that even when they lie they make stupid mistakes. I would like the BNP and Safadi to answer one question. Where in Washington did he meet me? At an event? In someone else's office?

"The first stupid mistake they have made is that I have not been to any events or office in Washington in at least 3-4 years. The only meetings I have had are private ones with government officials. So where could he have met me?" he added.

Earlier on 15 May, detectives arrested Aslam Chowdhury, a new joint secretary general of BNP, soon after the politician drew controversy over holding a meeting with the Israeli politician in India early this month.

In another interview with BBC Bangla on 17 May, Safadi also claimed that he met Aslam Chowdhury in India but had no 'secret meeting' with the BNP leader.

Criticising BBC Bangla for publishing the interview, Joy said, "It is also shameful that BBC Bangla actually broadcast this obviously fake interview without verifying facts. This really harms its credibility as a news source."

Hanif said the ruling party will issue a rejoinder, protesting against the BBC Bangla report.