Dhaka, Feb. 24 -- Pro-BNP lawyers in Barishal have boycotted two courts protesting the granting of bail to Awami League leaders, whom they described as "associates of the 'fascist' regime".

Members of the Nationalist Lawyers' Forum began the boycott of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrates' Court and the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

"These two courts have been granting bail to individuals whose petitions were previously rejected by the High Court and the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court in Barishal," alleged Abul Kalam Azad Emon, member secretary of the district unit of the forum.

"High-ranking officials of the former fascist government are securing bail. Such releases will put the current government at ...