Khaleda Zia’s son challenges trial in corruption case
August 4th, 2009 - 11:29 am ICT by IANSDhaka, Aug 4 (IANS) Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko has challenged his trial for alleged corruption in two deals, one with German telecom major Siemens and the other with a Chinese firm.
From his sick bed in Bangkok, Koko filed a writ petition in the high court challenging the legality of the proceedings of the case against him.
The Anti-Corruption Commission March 17 filed the case against Koko, charging him with illegally transferring 2,884,603.15 Singaporean dollars and $932,672.81 to three accounts in Singapore banks.
His lawyer argued that the alleged offences took place between 2001 and 2006, when Khaleda Zia was in power, but the case was filed against Koko under the Money Laundering Act 2009 that was enacted this year.
No one can be tried for offences under a law that was enacted after the alleged offences took place, the petition said.
Proceeding against Koko under the money laundering act was illegal as per provision of the constitution, since Koko has not been shown arrested in this case, The Daily Star said.
Zia’s elder politician son Tarique Rahman has also been charged with corruption. Both brothers were jailed for long and were granted bail on medical grounds. Tarique is currently in London receiving treatment.
Zia was also detained in 2007-08. She lost the December 2008 polls badly and is now leader of the opposition.
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Tags: alleged corruption, arafat, bangkok, bangladesh, chinese firm, corruption case, daily star, german telecom, khaleda zia, koko, leader of the opposition, march 17, medical grounds, money laundering act, opposition leader, politician, sick bed, singapore banks, writ petition, younger son
