BNP chief Khaleda says she is ‘completely innocent’

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia declares she is ‘completely innocent’ in her testimony in the Zia Welfare Trust graft case.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 Nov 2017, 12:17 PM
Updated : 23 Nov 2017, 12:17 PM

The BNP chief made the remark in response to a question from Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of Dhaka-5 Special Court at Bakshibazar on Thursday.

The judge read out the charges against Khaleda in the deposition of the witnesses in the case and the chargesheet and asked whether she was guilty or not guilty.

In response, the BNP chief said she was ‘completely innocent’.

The judge asked whether Khaleda would present any document during her defence.

Khaleda said she would submit documents ‘if she felt it was necessary’ and present witnesses who would clear her name.

With the declaration of her innocence, Khaleda started the second round of her defence on Thursday.

Afterwards she made an hour-long speech during the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case at the same court.

After the hearings Judge Akhtaruzzaman adjourned the court and set Nov 30 for the BNP chief’s remaining defence arguments.

The judge dismissed a petition by Khaleda’s lawyer Joynul Abedin to grant her permanent bail in the two cases for reasons of ill health.

On Aug 8, 2010 the Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against five BNP leaders, including Khaleda, accusing them of embezzling Tk 31.54 million from the Zia Welfare Trust case.

The charges were submitted on Jan 16, 2012 by the ACC investigating officer. On Mar 19, 2013 the suspects were indicted.

Khaleda came to the court to give her defence testimony on Dec 1, after the prosecution had ended its arguments. She had proclaimed herself innocent and called for a fair trial.

She received permission from a higher court to give new testimony in the case. The judge in the cases was also replaced after a petition by Khaleda.