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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. |
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. | |
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. |
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. | |
He is the first member of Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to receive a jail sentence from the anti-corruption court. | |
His lawyers said that he would appeal against the verdict in the High Court. | |
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. |