DHAKA, 5 October 2007 — The Bangladesh Supreme Court yesterday reversed a lower court decision to free former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on bail, upholding an appeal by the army-backed interim government.
The government will proceed with Khaleda’s prosecution on corruption charges, a lawyer at the prosecutor’s office said, following the top court’s order.
Her party said it was disappointed with the court ruling, but hoped justice would be done.
Security forces arrested Khaleda and her son Arafat Rahman early last month to face graft charges in the award of a cargo-handling contract to a firm in 2003 that her son allegedly favored, overruling a state committee’s recommendation.
But a High Court on Sunday ordered Khaleda to be freed on bail and halted her further prosecution on grounds she couldn’t be tried under special emergency laws for an offense committed before the imposition of emergency in January this year.
The army-backed interim government, which has vowed to complete a campaign against corrupt politicians and officials before elections next year, filed an appeal on Tuesday against the order.
“We are frustrated, but hope will get justice in the long run,” said Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Secretary-General of Khaleda’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, reacting to the Supreme Court decision.
Another former prime minister, Hasina Wajed, Khaleda’s bitter rival, is also behind bars on extortion charges.
‘Truth Commission’ for Businessmen
Bangladesh plans to set up a “Truth Commission” to give businessmen an opportunity to disclose details of corrupt deals before they are formally charged and arrested, a government official said.
The move comes after business leaders met government officials to complain about a climate of fear following the government’s crackdown on corrupt politicians and officials in which hundreds of people have been arrested.
The businessmen said prices of essential goods had risen, partly because traders were refusing to transact any deals for fear of government action against them.
Under the proposed Truth Commission, businessmen could give details of corrupt deals to avoid being detained before prosecution formally begins, Mainul Husein, the government’s adviser for law and information, said.
“We are planning to give corrupt businessmen a chance to reveal the truth before the commission and avoid being taken to jail before they have been tried and convicted,” he said.
Currently, police, under special emergency laws, can arrest politicians, officials and businessmen suspected of graft or abuse of power even before charges are formally laid.
More than 170 key political figures, including two former prime ministers and dozens of ex-ministers, have been detained since the army-backed interim authority took charge in January, vowing to fight corruption at all levels.
Several top businessmen belonging to or actively supporting the two biggest political parties, Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have also been detained and are being prosecuted.
“Appearing before the Truth Commission, the corrupt businessmen may admit to acquiring wealth through dishonest means and will ask forgiveness, offering to pay fine and surrendering their illegal wealth to the authorities,” Mainul said. “This will help them to get some reprieve and carry on their businesses smoothly,” he said, adding that such reconciliation methods are available in many other countries.
Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since the interim government took office following months of political violence and banned political activity.
It has vowed to hold a free and fair election before end of next year, after completing the drive against corruption.
More than 170 political leaders, including the two former prime ministers, have been detained on charges of corruption, extortion and misuse of power.
