Two influential local leaders including an MP of a coalition partner helped 'most wanted and notorious criminals' Moyeen Joarder and Wazed Alam flee the country to evade arrest by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).

The two criminals never missed any opportunity to establish links with political parties that ruled the country since 1981.

Highly places sources in police said the two leaders provided them with all support including money to go abroad, which is also known to intelligence agencies.

"Of course, these two top local (political) leaders have been named as godfathers in the fresh list made by police for legal action when time will come", a police official said.

According to the list made by Khulna Metropolitan police, Moyeen Joarder is a 'dreaded extremist' linked with PBCP Janajuddho faction and a 'professional bomber'.

A resident of Sher-e-Bangla Road in Khulna city, Moyeen Joarder came to the limelight after the murder of Chhatra Dal central vice-president Wahiduzzaman Chanchal on the night of October 18, 1998. He was the prime chargesheetd accused in this murder case. Besides, he is a FIR-named accused in six murder cases and some other cases filed under the Explosives Act with Khulna and Sonadanga police stations.

Wazed Alam, hailing from West Baniakhamar area in the city, is wanted in 14 criminal cases including four for murders, three for attempts to murder, two for robbery and one for a case filed under the Explosives Act. The cases were filed with Khulna and Sonadanga thanas.

When contacted, KMP Deputy Commissioner Akbar Ali told this correspondent that both the most wanted terrorists fled the country last year.

"I have information that Moyeen Joarder and Wazed Alam arein Malaysia and South Africa respectively". He further claimed that the two sent abroad under special arrangement could be brought back to Khulna on the eve of next parliamentary election.