In a relief to Bangladesh’s former premier and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, a court today granted her bail in nine cases, including one for sedition and others for a deadly transport blockade.
Advertisement
The decision came after Zia appeared in the court of metropolitan sessions judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah amid tight security and sought bail.
The former prime minister is scheduled to attend hearings of several cases against her on Wednesday, including for graft.
Momtaz Uddin Ahmad Mehedi, a SC and member of the ruling Awami League’s central committee, filed the case against Khaleda for her remarks on the number of Liberation War martyrs.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to Khaleda in eight arson attack cases filed with Draussalam Police Station.
Her supporters gathered outside the court and chanted anti-government slogans as she arrived at the court. The court also awarded bail in nine other cases of arson, said prosecution lawyer Abdullah Abu.
The cases against Zia are seen by her supporters as a major political tool to weaken the BNP, which has a strong partnership with the Jamaat-e-Islami party.
A Bangladesh court issued an arrest warrant on March 30, 2016 for former prime minister and opposition leader Zia over a deadly firebombing attack previous year, a prosecutor said.
The blockade unleashed a wave of bloody violence, leaving about 150 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds. The court also accepted the charges against her and fixed the next hearing on October 10, reported the Daily Star.
The Niko graft case is pending with the Special Judge Court-9 and the Barapukuria coalmine graft case with the Special Judge Court-2.
Khaleda Zia has described cases against her as aimed at keeping her out of politics.
Advertisement
The BNP is under pressure in the face of official action for its alleged subversive activities in recent years to remove Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
