Khaleda’s legal team yet to get copy of verdict

The legal team of BNP chief Khaleda Zia is yet to obtain a copy of the verdict that landed her in jail in a corruption case.

Counsel Sanaullah Mia said it was not available on Wednesday and the legal team was hopeful of getting it on Thursday.

The 72-year-old former prime minister was convicted of corruption and sentenced to five years in prison by a Dhaka court on Feb 8.

The judge had read out a summary of his 632-page verdict before the sentencing, after which Khaleda was led away to an old jailhouse on Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road.

Soon after the verdict was delivered, the defence sought a certified copy of it to take the legal battle to the High Court, but it is yet to be available.

The BNP said the delay was an intentional effort by the government to keep Khaleda in prison as long as it can.

On Monday, Zainul Abedin, one of the attorneys of Khaleda’s legal team, told bdnews24.com that they have given the court stamped paper to print a copy of the verdict on.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mia said they were expecting to receive it by 4pm.