Protesters demand release of jailed former Bangladesh leader

08/03/2018

This news has been read 7739 times!

Supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) shout slogans during a demonstration in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, March 8, 2018. The supporters were demanding the release of Bangladesh’s former prime minister and their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was convicted on Feb. 8 of misusing power in embezzling about $250,000 in donations meant for an orphanage trust established when she first became prime minister in 1991.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Several hundred opposition supporters have staged a protest in Bangladesh’s capital demanding the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is serving a five-year prison sentence in a corruption case.
The protesters accused police of obstructing their sit-in, and a brief clash occurred when the authorities attempted to arrest a student opposition leader. No injuries were reported in the one-hour demonstration in downtown Dhaka.
A court convicted Zia, who is now opposition leader, on Feb. 8 on charges of misusing her power and embezzling about $250,000. The conviction means that Zia, the archrival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, can be barred from running in December national elections.
She has appealed the verdict and requested bail. Her lawyer says the case is politically motivated.

This news has been read 7739 times!

08/03/2018