Detained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday demanded the legal rights she is entitled to including the right to communicate over telephone from the sub-jail on Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises, her lawyer said.

The former premier also expressed surprise and disappointment over a judgment of the High Court in the Mig-29 case filed against her, her lawyer Fazle Noor Taposh told newsmen after meeting her at the sub-jail yesterday.

People should remain alert, her lawyer Tawfique Nawaz quoted her as saying following his meeting with Hasina. She also asked her party leaders and workers to remain united, have patience and face the present situation.

"She [Hasina] is not getting many rights which she is entitled to under the jail code," Tawfique Nawaz said. "As a prisoner not convicted, she [Hasina] has the right to talk to anyone over telephone, but she is not getting the right," he said.

He said, "According to the jail code, under section-682, Sheikh Hasina has the right to communicate to anyone verbally."

"There are many irregularities in the way things are being dealt with," Tawfique alleged, adding, "There are many things going on which are beyond the constitution."

He said during the one-and-a-half hour meeting with Hasina, she talked about her cases and other current issues.

ADVOCATE TAPOSH'S BRIEFING

"Sheikh Hasina expressed her surprise and disappointment over a judgment in the Mig-29 case," Fazle Noor Taposh, another lawyer for the AL chief told reporters after meeting her at the sub-jail.

"The Mig-29s were bought to ensure the sovereignty of the country and keep our airspace free from enemies," Taposh quoted Hasina as saying.

He said the Anti-corruption Commission failed to bring specific allegations in the charge sheet of the case against Hasina.

DIG ON JALIL'S HEALTH

DIG (prison) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddique yesterday said physical condition of detained AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil remains stable.

"His [Abdul Jalil's] blood pressure fluctuates sometimes," he told reporters at the sub-jail gate. The DIG yesterday paid a visit to Abdul Jalil at the LabAid Hospital in the capital.

Mother-in-law of Jalil passed away on Friday.