DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in a 2008 corruption case, paving the way for the ailing leader to participate in upcoming parliamentary elections in the troubled South Asian nation. The ruling marks a significant legal triumph for Khaleda and her family, one of the longstanding political factions in Bangladesh.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, heading a five-judge panel, overturned the jail sentences imposed by the high court in 2018 on Khaleda, her son Tarique Rahman, and other defendants. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in Bangladesh, where Khaleda’s political rival Sheikh Hasina was recently forced to resign and seek refuge in India following widespread protests.
The corruption case, originating from 2008, alleged that Khaleda and associates embezzled 21 million taka ($173,000) in foreign donations meant for an orphanage trust established during her previous tenure as prime minister from 2001 to 2006. Following the verdict, defense lawyer Zainul Abedin remarked, “The nature of the case was so egregious that all parties involved, whether they appealed or not, have now been acquitted.”
In a separate legal victory last November, Khaleda, aged 79, was cleared of charges in another corruption case involving the misappropriation of 31.5 million taka from a different trust in 2005. Citing health concerns, including liver cirrhosis and heart ailments, Khaleda was recently flown to London for medical treatment.
Notably, Khaleda’s son Tarique Rahman, the acting head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was also acquitted last month, along with other defendants, in connection to a 2004 grenade attack during a rally held by Hasina. Rahman has been residing in London in self-imposed exile.
Since August, Bangladesh has been under the administration of an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus. The BNP has emphasized the urgency of holding general elections by August, pointing to escalating political and economic instability within the country.
The legal developments surrounding Khaleda Zia and her family have underscored the complex political landscape in Bangladesh, marked by longstanding rivalries and power struggles. The Supreme Court’s acquittal provides Khaleda with the opportunity to re-enter the political arena as the country navigates challenging times.
(Reporting by Reuters Dhaka bureau; Editing by YP Rajesh and Clarence Fernandez)
