DHAKA, 5 April 2007 — The army-backed Bangladesh interim government has constituted four special courts to try politicians and leaders involved in corruption. The courts, set up under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004, the Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007 and the Emergency Powers Rules, will conduct the proceedings of the cases in the Parliament Secretariat premises in Dhaka.

In order to ensure expeditious disposal of the cases, the government has appointed special judges to head the four courts.

The divisional special judge’s courts — the Speedy Trial Tribunal numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Dhaka, now situated in the premises of the district judge’s court — have been shifted to blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the parliamentarians’ hostel. A total of 50 corrupt suspects have so far been identified for arrest and trial.

US Wants Poll Schedule

Bangladesh should announce a timetable for elections so the people can see a path back to democracy from a state of emergency declared in January, US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis said. Washington has huge influence in Bangladesh, where an interim government backed by the military is in control, having canceled polls scheduled for Jan. 22 in the wake of political violence.

The interim government has said no new election will be held until politics is rid of widespread corruption. The army chief said this week a new brand of democracy was needed to improve government.

The United States has often played an unofficial mediation role in Bangladeshi politics and, since the current crisis erupted late last year, Butenis has frequently shuttled between the parties and the interim government.

She met Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda and his deputies on Tuesday.

“I, of course, emphasized the desirability of issuing a timeline for the election,” Butenis said in comments reported by Bangladeshi media and confirmed by the US Embassy.

“We understand that the timeline depends on when the electoral reforms will be carried out, but again I urged them to have a projection so the government can make it public.

It was Butenis’ first meeting with election officials since the declaration of the emergency and the arrest of a string of high-level officials in an anti-corruption drive. Among those arrested was Tareque Rahman, a son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and more than a dozen former ministers from both Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the rival Awami League. Most politicians have stayed quiet over the election delay, anxious not to be caught up in the arrests, but Butenis’ comments suggest patience is running out.

“People want to know when the election is likely to be held,” the ambassador said.

Bangladesh Army Chief Lt. Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed said this week that politicians had given the country nothing but corruption in 36 years since independence.

He had previously said the armed forces did not want to take power but would steadfastly support the interim government in creating conditions for a free and fair election.

Butenis’ remarks triggered sharp reactions from all quarters in the country.

Political leaders said they wanted a free and credible election but were not in hurry over the timing. Government officials said they were working to achieve that goal.