Khaleda pleads not guilty in Zia Charitable Trust graft case

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has pleaded not guilty to graft charges in a case involving the Zia Charitable Trust.

She appeared before the court of Dhaka's Third Special Judge on Thursday. 

The former prime minister, accused of embezzling Tk 31.5 million from the charity, told the judge she wanted to produce witnesses to testify on her behalf. 

Testimonies by 32 prosecution witnesses were read out to her. 

She then spoke in her defence for about 15 minutes, dismissing the testimonies as false. She had brought with her a written statement, but did not read it.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar scheduled the next hearing on Dec 8, when Khaleda Zia is expected to continue her statement. 

The BNP chief is an accused in the case filed by the Anti Corruption Commission in 2010 along with her elder son Tarique Rahman. 

The other accused are Khaleda’s former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his personal assistant Ziaul Islam Munna and former Dhaka City mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s personal assistant Monirul Islam Khan.

ACC Deputy Director Harun-ur-Rashid was cross examined by Tarique’s lawyers. 

The case, which is being heard at the court set up on the Prison Directorate’s field at Old Dhaka Bakshi Bazar, is nearing its final stage.