Ex-Bangla PM gets 5 yrs RI By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka : Bangladesh’s ex-premier Khaleda Zia was on Thursday sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment(RI) for corruption, a huge setback for the 72-year-old main opposition leader who may be barred from contesting the next general election in December.

The three-time former prime minister was sentenced by Dhaka’s Special Court in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about USD 250,000) in foreign donations meant.

for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, reports PTI.

The verdict simultaneously sentenced Zia’s “fugitive” elder son and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP’s) senior vice president Tarique Rahman as he was tried in absentia in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. Rahman and four others have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Judge Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, while delivering the judgement, said: “The case was proved beyond any doubt against the accused”. Zia, wearing a white sari, appeared in person in the heavily-guarded courtroom amid heightened political tension. Sentencing Zia to rigorous imprisonment, the judge said that the shorter term was for “her health and social status”.

 The judge read out the abridged version of the 632-page verdict in 10 minutes while several BNP leaders were present in the courtroom. He said that all the convicts played identical role in the crime but Zia was given a lesser term taking into account her “age and social status”. The court also said that the defence tried their best to hinder the trial proceedings as they sought time for 35 occasions in the name of changing the court.

 The other convicts are former lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, ex-premier’s principal secretary Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and her nephew Mominur Rahman. Zia became the second head of the government after former military dictator-turned-politician HM Ershad to be convicted in a graft case.

Legal experts said the verdict may jeopardise her career as she may be disqualified from contesting polls, including the one slated for December.

I will be back, don’t cry: Zia tells her weeping relatives

Dhaka : “I will be back, there is no need to cry,” Khaleda Zia on Thursday told her weeping relatives and supporters, minutes before the three-time former Bangladeshi premier was sentenced to five years in jail in a graft case.

“There is no need to cry. I will be alright. You all wait, I will be back. Do not worry and be strong,” Khaleda said while trying to comfort her weeping relatives.

Khaleda’s elder sister, her sisters-in-law, her younger brother, nephews and her lawyers accompanied Zia to the court.