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Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Case against ex-PM Khaleda Zia lacks admissible evidence: Lord Alex Carlile


BY ET BUREAU | MAY 07, 2018, 06.40 PM IST


Zia, twice PM of Bangladesh, was sentenced on February 8 to five years' imprisonment over her alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust.

NEW DELHI: The case against former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia lacks admissible evidence and this may be a play to keep her away from the elections, alleged her lawyer Lord Alex Carlile. 

“I have seen no admissible evidence against my client, and it is the election year. If she is kept in custody, she will be prevented from leading her party in the election,” Lord Carlile said from London while commenting ahead of next hearing of the case on Tuesday. 

“I can think of no other reason for bringing a case with no admissible evidence against the accused,” the senior lawyer said when asked if the case has been framed keeping in mind general elections in Bangladesh. 

Lord Carlile was of opinion that Zia could be acquitted if the judicial process becomes fair. 

“He is not my client, and it would be professionally improper to comment on another person's case. in general terms, the case looks extremely weak all round,” the senior lawyer said when asked about his views on charges against Tarique Rahman. 

Zia, twice PM of Bangladesh, was sentenced on February 8 to five years' imprisonment over her alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust. 

The court also convicted Tarique Rahman and four others of corruption, sentencing each to 10 years in jail. The six were accused of embezzling over $252,000 of a donation to the trust. 

The Bangladesh Supreme Court is likely to hold hearing tomorrow on the appeals filed against the High Court order that granted bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. 
Courtesy — The Economic Times

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