The Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted former prime minister and BNP leader Khaleda Zia in the corruption case. The Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s decision and threw out Khaleda’s 10-year prison sentence. He was released from prison in August last year.
The 79-year-old former prime minister had appealed the High Court’s decision. The court headed by Chief Justice Dr Syed Rafat delivered its verdict. The court cited the intention to take revenge on Khaleda and others as the reason for its decision.
Besides Khaleda Zia, BNP acting president Tariq Rahman and others were also released, the Dhaka Tribune reported. All of them were found guilty in the case related to the Jiya Orphanage Trust scam.
Was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Dhaka Special Court for embezzlement of public funds in the name of the Zia Orphanage Trust. Khaleda’s son Tariq and five other defendants were also sentenced to 10 years in prison.
A fine of 2.1 crore Bangladeshi taka was also imposed on him. Tariq and two other accused had fled. Jiah had appealed the decision to the High Court. At the hearing on October 30, 2018, the court increased the sentence to 10 years.
After this, Khaleda requested permission to appeal the sentence, that is, to challenge it directly before the Supreme Court. It was delayed for 5 years due to legal proceedings.
However, the appeal was accepted in November last year after Sheikh Hasina left the country.
Khaleda is in London for treatment
Khaleda has been ill for a long time. Earlier this month, on January 7, she traveled to London for treatment. He received an air ambulance from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Haseena suffers from liver cirrhosis, heart and kidney diseases.
Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.
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