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Jail term for Khaleda Zia adviser Jail term for Khaleda Zia adviser
(about 1 hour later)
One of the most important figures in the government of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been given a three year jail sentence.One of the most important figures in the government of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been given a three year jail sentence.
Harris Chowdhury was found guilty by a special anti-corruption court set up by Bangladesh's interim government.Harris Chowdhury was found guilty by a special anti-corruption court set up by Bangladesh's interim government.
The sentence has been imposed in absentia as he is in hiding. It is the first such sentence against a high-ranking politician.The sentence has been imposed in absentia as he is in hiding. It is the first such sentence against a high-ranking politician.
The interim government has made tackling corruption its main objective.The interim government has made tackling corruption its main objective.
The court wanted Mr Chowdhury to give details of his assets and had suspicions that that he acquired much of his wealth illegally, Reuters news agency reports. Enormous influence
The BBC Bengali service editor Sabir Mustafa says that Mr Chowdhury was the person who controlled access to Khaleda Zia and, as such, wielded enormous influence. The fast track court - operating within the parliamentary complex in Dhaka - wanted Mr Chowdhury to give details of his assets amid suspicions that that he acquired much of his wealth illegally, Reuters news agency reports.
He is the first member of Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party to receive a jail sentence from the anti-corruption court. The courts started operating earlier this month to prosecute dozens of high profile political figures charged with corruption. Luxury cars have been seized and bank accounts frozen.
Sheikh Hasina received a heroic welcome on her return
Two members of the Awami League have already been sentenced.Two members of the Awami League have already been sentenced.
Aides to Khaleda Zia said earlier this month that she was still facing curbs on her movements. They said restrictions were in place despite government assurances that she would have freedom of movement. The BBC Bengali service editor Sabir Mustafa says that Mr Chowdhury was the person who controlled access to Khaleda Zia and, as such, wielded enormous influence.
Ms Zia's rival, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, returned to the country this month. He is the first member of Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to receive a jail sentence from the anti-corruption court.
The military-backed caretaker government abandoned a plan to force the two women into exile last month. It said then that Ms Zia was not under house arrest, and denied allegations made by her supporters that it was trying to force her out of the country. His lawyers said that he would appeal against the verdict in the High Court.
The caretaker government says it will hold elections by the end of 2008. Mr Chowdhury was Khaleda Zia's political secretary during her second term as prime minister, from 2001 until October 2006.
Wrongdoing denied
He was ordered to explain his wealth by the Anti-Corruption Commission after the military-backed caretaker government took power following the imposition of a state of emergency in January.
Correspondents say that many other politicians, businessmen and civil servants were ordered to make similar submissions, and have been detained for several months.
Among those arrested are Ms Zia's influential elder son, Tarique Rahman, who was arrested in March, accused of extorting $147,000 from a construction company. He has denied wrongdoing.
Ms Zia's aides said earlier this month that she was still facing curbs on her movements. They said restrictions were in place despite government assurances that she would have freedom of movement.
The military-backed government says it wants an end to corruption
They say that she has recently been suffering from ill-health and was due to go to Singapore earlier this month for treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes.
But they say that she had to postpone her visit because of a sudden deterioration in her condition and because of concerns over extortion charges filed against her younger son, Arafat Rahman.
Ms Zia's rival, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, returned to the country this month after the military-backed caretaker government abandoned a plan to force the two women into exile.
It said then that Ms Zia was not under house arrest, and denied allegations made by her supporters that it was trying to force her out of the country.
The caretaker government says it will hold elections by the end of 2008, giving it time first to rid the country of corruption.