Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

Bangladesh

Khaleda asked to surrender

2016-02-24

[Dhaka Tribune] A Dhaka court yesterday asked BNP Chairperson the loathesome Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... to appear before the court on April 13 in connection with Gatco graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge's Court 3 passed the order after receiving copy of the High Court's February 15 verdict that rejected two petitions filed by Khaleda challenging the legality of proceedings in the case. The court is also dealing Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust cases filed against Khaleda and eight others. On September 2, 2007, the ACC filed the Gatco case with Tejgaon cop shoppe against Khaleda, her youngest son late Arafat Rahman Koko, Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami ...During the liberation war of 1971, Nizami formed the Al-Badr Force and acted as its supreme commander. The Al-Badr militia took active part in rape, extortion, looting and killing of Bangladeshis who supported the liberation, including a pre-planned massacre on December 14, 1971, when the Al-Badr militia along with Pakistan Army rounded up hundreds of doctors, professors, writers, and other Bengali intellectuals, and executed them... and 10 others. The case was filed under the Emergency Powers Rules. According to the case statement, there was corruption in the awarding of a contract to Global Agro Trade (Pvt) Company Ltd (Gatco) for container management at inland depots in Dhaka and Chittagong. The corruption allegedly cost the state exchequer over Tk1,000 crore.

Link

Bangladesh

Khaleda leaves for London

2015-09-16

[Dhaka Tribune] BNP Chairperson the loathesome Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... left Dhaka for London yesterday for treatment. An Emirates Airlines flight carrying Khaleda left Shahjalal airport at 9:30pm while hundreds of leaders waved their hands outside the airport, said Shamsuddin Didar, an official of Khaleda's press wing. Khaleda was accompanied by her younger brother Shamim Eskander and his wife Kaniz Fatema; her Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and house maid Fatema Akhter. This is Khaleda's second visit to the UK after 2006. She is likely to spend Eid-ul-Adha with her family members in London. Khaleda's elder son Tarique Rahman ...the elder son of former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, and Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is the Senior Vice Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His nickname is Pino. There are allegations that Pino took a rakeoff from every foreign investment into the country while Mom was in office... has now been living in London with his family members since 2007. He is facing a number of graft and criminal cases. Khaleda and Tarique met last year when she went to Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... for Umrah. This will be their first meeting since Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Coco died of cardiac arrest in January this year. Khaleda was supposed to meet Tarique in Saudi Arabia for Umrah during the last Ramadan but the reunion fell through as she had cancelled the visit in the last moment. A number of BNP leaders said Coco's wife Sharmila Rahman Sithi and her two daughters Jahiya Rahman and Jaisa Rahman were likely to fly to London from Thailand to spend the Eid together.

Link

Bangladesh

Tarique most popular despite propaganda Says Mirza Fakhrul

2012-11-23

[Bangla Daily Star] BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday claimed Tarique Rahman ...the elder son of former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, and Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is the Senior Vice Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His nickname is Pino. There are allegations that Pino took a rakeoff from every foreign investment into the country while Mom was in office... is the "most popular" person in the country despite the government's propaganda against the party's senior vice-chairman. "He [Tarique] is the leader of the country's 16 crore people. His birthday is being celebrated across the country as well as abroad," he told a procession before the party headquarters in the capital's Nayapaltan. Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth front of BNP, organised the colourful procession to mark Tarique's 48th birthday. However, facts are stubborn; statistics are more pliable... none of the BNP leaders present at the programme spoke on the Anti-Corruption Commission's claim of recovering 20.41 lakh Singapore dollar. The money was funneled to Singapore by Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... Fakhrul blasted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ...Bangla dynastic politician and current Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She has been the President of the Bangla Awami League since 1981. She is the eldest of five children of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Her party defeated the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance in the 2008 parliamentary elections. She has once before held the office, from 1996 to 2001, when she was defeated in a landslide... for her recent comment that by changing the country the BNP chief would take it backwards. "The government has totally failed to run the country. When we talk about changing the country and moving it forward, it makes the government angry," he said. BNP leaders Mirza Abbas, Goyeswar Chandra Roy addressed the procession, among others. The procession marched through the streets of Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh, and Moghbazar.

Link

Bangladesh

Khaleda to face graft charge

2011-12-14

[Bangla Daily Star] The Anti-Corruption Commission is likely to press charges against former prime minister Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... and several others in Shaheed Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. Yesterday at a monthly press briefing, the anti-graft body declared that an investigation that started from September into the case was completed. "The investigation findings substantiate the allegation that money was collected using the influence of the then prime minister for setting up the organization," an ACC official told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity as the service rule prohibits disclosing probe findings unless approved by the commission. He, however, said the commission's decision based on the investigation would not be known before December 15 as until then its chairman Prof Ghulam Rahman would be staying abroad on an official tour. The corruption case, filed on August 8, was the first against opposition leader Khaleda Zia after the Awami League-led grand alliance assumed office in January 2009. The other accused are Abul Harris Chowdhury, political secretary to the then prime minister; his assistant personal secretary Ziaul Islam Munna; and Monirul Islam Khan, APS to the now defunct Dhaka City Corporation's mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka. As per the first information report, a piece of 42-katha land had been purchased from Suraiya Khan for Tk 6.52 crore of the trust fund, but the land had not been registered under the name of the organization. Moreover, sources of Tk 1.25 crore spent in purchasing the land is unknown. Complainant ACC Assistant Director Harunur Rashid, immediately after filing the case, told news hounds that Khaleda's two sons Tarique Rahman ...the elder son of former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, and Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He is the Senior Vice Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His nickname is Pino. There are allegations that Pino took a rakeoff from every foreign investment into the country while Mom was in office... and Arafat Rahman Koko, trustees of Zia Charitable Trust, might be accused in the charge sheet if their names would come up in the probe. Harun, also investigation officer of the case, told The Daily Star yesterday that the probe report was submitted last week. According to ACC rules, the investigation report has to be approved by the commission prior to pressing charges against the accused. Meanwhile, ...back at the wine tasting, Vince was about to start tasting his third quart... Director General of ACC (admin and establishment) Farrukh Ahmad said at the press briefing that the ACC had requested the organizations, which had participated in the tender process of Padma Bridge construction, to apprise it of the irregularities in the process, if any.

Link

Bangladesh

Return people's money, Hasina asks Khaleda at rally

2011-10-13

[Bangla Daily Star] Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina yesterday said opposition leader Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... and her two sons must return the people's money they "siphoned off, including the money they took from orphans". She vowed to bring Khaleda, the BNP chairperson, and her two sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko, to book on corruption charges they are currently facing. Khaleda and Tarique are also accused in the Zia Orphanage scam case. "You [Khaleda] have misappropriated the money of the Zia Orphanage Trust and your two sons siphoned off hundreds of crores of taka of people's money when you were in power. You have whitened the black money," Hasina accused her political archrival. "Their trial will definitely be held," she said, addressing a huge rally at Nilphamari Govt High School ground. Hasina, who was the chief guest at the meeting, made the remark responding to Khaleda Zia's recent statement in a rally in Sylhet where Khaleda said they would construct Padma Bridge free of corruption if voted to power. Hasina said the opposition leader flanked by war criminals has now been forging movements to save the war criminals and her two corrupt sons. The prime minister said the rightful share of Teesta water will be realised from India. "Discussion is going on Teesta water sharing. Insha Allah, we will be able to realise the rightful share of Teesta water from India like the Ganga water sharing deal." Nilphamari district Awami League organised the rally which thousands joined. Party leaders, workers, and supporters of the party from different upazilas and adjacent districts started pouring in since noon to join the meeting considered a counter programme to the opposition's anti-government agitations. Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, acting General Secretary of Awami League Mahbubul Alam Hanif, politicians Asaduzzaman Noor and Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also spoke at the rally chaired by district Awami League president Dewan Kamal Ahmed. Hinting the abolishment of the caretaker system, Hasina said the constitution has been amended to protect the people's democratic right of franchise. Hasina said Khaleda questioned her religion after she visited the Dhakeswari temple during the Durga Puja festivities. Hasina said she prays five times a day and unlike Khaleda's, her day starts with Fazr prayers in the morning and not around noon. Referring to last BNP-Jamaat coalition rule, the prime minister said that Ziaur Rahman only left a broken suitcase and a torn T-shirt for his family. But that broken suitcase has become a magic box and Khaleda Zia amassed crores and is now living a luxurious life. Hasina said the present government has rooted out terrorism from the country. She claimed that when people live in peace the opposition leader feels uncomfortable.

Link

Bangladesh

Koko's case a warning for politicians

2011-06-25

[Bangla Daily Star] Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said politicians have no reason to be happy with the jail sentence on Arafat Rahman Koko; rather they have something to learn from the judgement. "We, the politicians, have to take lessons from the judgment," AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said during a press briefing at party chief Sheikh Hasina's political office in Dhanmondi. "There is no reason to be excited about the verdict. I am personally unhappy." The leader continued, "The judgment proves we have to suffer dire consequences if we fail to make our children good human beings. We, who only remain busy in politics, do not feel the need to make our sons and daughters good human beings." On Wednesday, Koko, younger son of Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... , and Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former shipping minister late Akbar Hossain, were sentenced to six years' rigorous imprisonment for laundering more than Tk 20 crore to Singapore. This is the first ever verdict in any case against a member of the Zia family. BNP Chairperson Khaleda and her two sons -- Tarique Rahman and Koko -- stand accused in 22 cases, nineteen of which were filed during the rule of last caretaker regime and three during the present government's tenure. Immediately after the verdict, BNP termed the judgment "absolutely politically motivated". However, death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate... Syed Ashraf, also LGRD and cooperatives minister, said the government did not have a hand in the judgment. The main opposition's allegation is false and baseless, he said. The FBI gave information to the Anti-Corruption Commission on Koko's money laundering during the last caretaker government's tenure. The ACC filed the case against Koko on March 17, 2009. "As the case has not been filed by the present government, there is no scope of political mudslinging over the issue," Ashraf said. The minister said it is sad that the son of freedom-fighter and late president Ziaur Rahman and two-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been found corrupt. It is no good news for anyone. If Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia had been careful about their sons, this unexpected situation could have been averted, said Ashraf, also the spokesperson of the AL-led grand alliance government. He said there is still scope for going to High Court over the matter and he would be happy if Koko comes out clean at the HC. AL leaders Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dipu Moni, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin, Afzal Hossain and Mrinal Kanti Das, among others, were present at the briefing.

Link

Bangladesh

Ex-Bangladesh PM's son sentenced to jail

2011-06-24

[Emirates 24/7] A Bangladeshi court on Thursday sentenced the younger son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... to six years in prison for laundering nearly ê1 million through bank accounts in Singapore, a lawyer said. Arafat Rahman Koko, who was tried in absentia and is currently in Bangkok, was fined $5.2 million for the crimes, carried out when his mother was last in power between 2001 and 2006, said state lawyer Mosharaf Hossain. "The court has convicted Arafat Rahman Koko and given him six years' imprisonment... for earning money illegally and laundering money through Singapore," Hossain, who represented the government in the case, told AFP. "He will be nabbed when he gets back from Bangkok or -- as there is an agreement between Thailand and Bangladesh -- there is the possibility the government will begin extradition proceedings against him," he added. The court also sentenced Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of a former shipping minister and a co-accused in the case, to six years in prison and the same fine, Hossain said, adding that Saimon is currently on the run. Analysts said the verdict could trigger street demonstrations by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies, who have dismissed the charges against Koko as politically motivated. The BNP has recently staged protests against the government's plan to scrap a system of holding national elections under a neutral caretaker administration. Koko was frequently referred to as one of the most powerful men in Bangladesh when his mother was prime minister for her second term from 2001 to 2006. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) suffered a crushing defeat in elections in December to her bitter rival and current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both women were charged with corruption during the regime of a 2007 to 2009 army-backed caretaker government, and each spent a year behind bars only to be released as part of deals to ensure they took part in the election. Zia's eldest son, Tareque Rahman, also faces a string of corruption charges. He is currently living in London.

Link

Bangladesh

Koko charged afresh for money laundering

2011-06-07

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court on Monday framed charges afresh against Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party, an apparent magnet for corruption ... for money laundering. Fresh charges were pressed under Money Laundering Prevention Act 2002. The same court on November 30 last year indicted Koko for money laundering under Money Laundering Prevention Act 2009. The fresh charges were framed to avoid legal complications as the events Koko has been charged for took place before 2009. Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former shipping minister later Akbar Hosain, was also indicted in the case. Judge Mozammel Hossain of the Special Judge's Court-3 framed the charges following an application submitted by Special Public Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol. Kajol mentioned in his petition that the Supreme Court in its February 9 verdict said charges of the money laundering case against BNP Senior Vice President Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun will run under Money Laundering Prevention Act 2002 as the crimes were committed before 2009. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against Koko on March 17, 2009 saying that the accused had laundered money they received from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Siemens for helping them win government contracts. China Harbour got a Tk 351 crore contract to set up New Mooring Container Terminal and Siemens a Tk 239 crore contract to supply and install equipment for Teletalk, the state-owned cellphone operator. The ACC pressed charges against Koko and Saimon on November 15, 2009.

Link

Bangladesh

Koko indicted in absentia

2010-12-01

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court yesterday framed charges against former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Three-term PM of Bangla, widow of deceased dictator Ziaur Rahman, head of the Bangla Nationalist Party ... younger son Arafat Rahman Koko What kind of a mother would name her kid "Koko"? No wonder he grew up to be a corrupt politician. It was either that or a clown. and a former BNP minister's son in absentia in a money laundering case. The other accused is Ismail Hossain Saimon, son of former shipping minister late Akbar Hossain. The same court on October 31 issued arrest warrant against Koko and Saimon in connection with the case. As per the law the accused were supposed to be present in the court at the time of hearing on the charge framing and during the trial proceedings. Judge Mozammel Hossain of the Special Judge's Court-3 fixed January 4, 2011 to start trial of this case through deposition of 23 witnesses. The court also framed charges against the duo in their absence, as Koko and Saimon did not appear before the court or were not produced by the police. Koko, who was jugged on September 2, 2007 on graft charges and paroled for treatment abroad in July the next year, is now in Bangkok though his parole is not in effect. Saimon has been on the run since the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the money laundering case against him and Koko on March 17 last year. In the case statement, the anti-graft body said the accused had laundered money they received from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Siemens for helping them win government contracts. China Harbour got a Tk 351 crore contract to set up New Mooring Container Terminal and Siemens a Tk 239 crore contract to supply and install equipment for Teletalk, the state-owned cellphone operator. The ACC pressed charges against Koko and Saimon on November 15 last year. As both the accused are runaways, they did not have any legal right to appoint lawyers to defend them during hearing of charge framing. They would not be able to appoint counsels to defend the case during trial if they do not appear before the court. The court could not read out the charges to the accused during the hearing on charge framing, as they were absent. Following prosecution submission on charges against the accused and a prayer the court framed the charges. The trial against Koko and Saimon would continue in their absence, the court said. Despite absence of Koko, his lawyers yesterday submitted a petition before the court seeking cancellation of the arrest warrant issued in October. The court rejected the petition. Earlier, the same court asked Koko and Saimon to appear before it and face trial, but they did not pay heed to it. Koko's lawyers told the court that Attorney General Mahbubey Alam on October 31 appeared before the court and appealed to the court for issuance of arrest warrant against their client. But the trial court in its order did not mention about the attorney general's submission before it. So, they prayed for correcting the order, the lawyers added. Special Public Prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol told the court that Koko's lawyers had no right to file any petition, as their client was earlier shown runaway. As per law, no petition is filed on behalf of a runaway, Kajol said. After hearing both the sides, the judge rejected Koko's petition and framed charges against the two.

Link

Bangladesh

Khaleda evidence 'convincing'

2010-11-23

[Bangla Daily Star] The Anti-Corruption Commission has claimed to have found "convincing" evidence that former prime minister Khaleda Zia had shown fake sources of funds for establishing Zia Charitable Trust. Nearly Tk 2 crore spent on the establishment of the Trust came from unknown and fake sources, said a commission official referring to the findings of an ACC probe into corruption allegations against Khaleda. The probe did not find any involvement of Khaleda's sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko in the corruption. Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... another ACC investigation found lack of diligence on the part of the then prime minister Khaleda Zia in the allocation of Tk 100 crore for construction of the Bhairab bridge, said a source at the commission. The ACC is now looking into the legal aspect of the probe reports to find whether they have any flaws or loopholes. Probes into the corruption allegations against Khaleda were initiated early this year and the findings came about two months ago. But the matter came to prominence following the growing acrimony between Awami League and BNP over the evacuation of Khaleda Zia from her cantonment residence. The print and electronic media ran reports and programmes based on the rumour that the government might move to file cases against Khaleda and her two sons to compel BNP to drop its plan for anti-government programmes. ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman however brushed aside any possibility of the government using the commission for the purpose. "The commission will file a case only after it is totally convinced that the case would lead to punishment of the accused," he said. "The Anti-Corruption Commission has no connection with the government. It works independently and makes its own decision," the chairman said. Senior ACC lawyers are going through the findings to determine whether ACC should go ahead as filing of any cases against Khaleda might evoke a controversy. The ACC also initiated investigation into two corruption allegations against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina but it did not find evidence against her.

Link

Bangladesh

Court orders Koko's arrest

2010-11-01

[Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court yesterday issued a warrant for arrest of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in a money-laundering case. It also directed the police to report by November 30 on execution of the warrant. "The court order means there's no legal bar to arresting Koko on his return to the country," Mosharraf Hossain Kajol, special public prosecutor dealing with graft cases, told The Daily Star yesterday. Can they turn him over to the RAB? Koko, who was jugged in September 2007 on graft charges and paroled for treatment abroad in July the following year, is now in Bangkok. Incensed, pro-BNP lawyers brought out a procession on the court premises, demanding cancellation of the arrest warrant. Asked about the court decision, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said, "How long will a person be on parole? Should parole last forever?" Talking to The Daily Star last night, he also said, "Since the court, not the government, has issued the warrant, Koko must face it. If he is found innocent in the trial, he will come out free." Only after appearing before the court can he seek an extension of his parole on health grounds, added the state minister. Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... a ruling Awami League leader speaking in return for anonymity said the government has had the warrant issued to keep Khaleda Zia in pressure. Judge Mozammel Hossain of Special Judge's Court-3 ordered Koko's arrest on a petition filed by the prosecution. He said the accused must appear before the court, or they will be tried in absentia. Fixing November 30 for hearing on charge-framing against Koko and Ismail Hossain Saimon, the court directed the officer-in-charge of Kafrul Police Station to report back within a month. Saimon, son of former shipping minister Akbar Hossain, has been on the run since the Anti-corruption Commission filed the money-laundering case against him and Koko on March 17 last year. In the case statement, the anti-graft body said the accused had laundered money they received from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Siemens for helping them win government contracts. China Harbour got a Tk 351 crore contract to set up New Mooring Container Terminal and Siemens a Tk 239 crore contract to supply and install equipment for Teletalk, the state-owned mobile phone operator.

Link

Bangladesh

Koko charged with money laundering

2009-11-13

[Bangla Daily Star] The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday pressed money-laundering charges against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, around eight months after filing of the case.It charged Koko and Ismail Hossain Simon, son of former shipping minister late Akbar Hossain, with siphoning 28.84 lakh Singaporean dollars and 9.32 lakh US dollars out of the country. ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Abu Sayeed, also investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka in the afternoon. He showed 23 people as prosecution witnesses. Simon, whose name was not in the first information report, was included as a charge-sheeted accused, as investigation found his involvement in money laundering. The IO pleaded with the court to issue a warrant for his arrest and orders for attachment of his property.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More