BANGLADESH: Court doubles former PM’s jail term to 10 years
A Bangladesh court on Tuesday doubled to 10 years a jail term for former prime minister Khaleda Zia for graft, ruling out her chances of contesting an election in December, lawyers said. Khaleda’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been in disarray since she was jailed in February, following a verdict it says was aimed […]
BANGLADESH Court doubles former PM’s jail term to 10 years
A Bangladesh court on Tuesday doubled to 10 years a jail term for former prime minister Khaleda Zia for graft, ruling out her chances of contesting an election in December, lawyers said.
Khaleda’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been in disarray since she was jailed in February, following a verdict it says was aimed at keeping the 73-year-old leader and her family out of politics.
“Khaleda Zia cannot participate in the election unless her verdict is scrapped,” Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters after the High Court decision.
Khaleda has denied any wrongdoing.
A lawyer for the former prime minister, however, said the ruling would be appealed and predicted Khaleda would be able to take part in the election.
“We will go for appeal and we believe she will get justice. She will not be ineligible to run for the election due to the verdict,” Sanaullah Mia told reporters