Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082955071600.htm

International

Khaleda Zia may be released soon

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: By securing bail in all 13 corruption cases against him, Tarique Rahman, son of the former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, is now set to be released from prison, thus paving the way for Ms. Zia's release. The caretaker government said on Wednesday the release of Ms. Zia and her son is imminent as the government would like to ensure participation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - the party headed by Ms. Zia - in December's general election.

Her release was hanging in the balance for some time as she refused to walk free without Mr. Rahman's release. On Thursday, Mr. Rahman secured bail from the Supreme Court in a taka 21-crore bribery case. His lawyer Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the Supreme Court granted an interim bail for two-month by examining Mr. Rahman's medical report. He would be sent abroad for medical treatment as his physical condition has deteriorated.

On October 4, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a bribery case, accusing six people, including the former Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, and Mr. Rahman, for murdering a businessman. Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, his two sons and Mr. Rahman's personal secretary are the other accused. Legal experts said there is now no legal barrier to Mr. Rahman's release.

Ms. Zia is likely to be released by an administrative order - similar to that issued to release Awami League chief and the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina.

The BNP and its ally, the Jamaat-E-Islami, have launched a nation-wide campaign for the release of Ms. Zia and Mr. Rahman. The government has reportedly completed the formalities to release them, said sources. On Wednesday, the High Court granted Ms. Zia four months' bail in another corruption case.