World | Other World Stories
Bangladesh top court blocks bail for politicians
'No court can grant bail to those arrested under emergency rule'.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:31 April 24, 2008
Dhaka: Bang-ladesh's Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that no one facing charges under emergency powers would be eligible for bail, effectively blocking the release of detained politicians until their trials are over.
The South Asian nation has been under a state of emergency since an army-backed interim government headed by former Central Bank Governor Fakhruddin Ahmad took over in January 2007, following deadly political violence.
"No court, including the High Court, has jurisdiction to grant bail to anyone arrested under emergency power rules," the court said.
The decision virtually rules out the chances of the country's two most senior politicians, rival former prime ministers Shaikh Hasina and Begum Khalida Zia, being bailed before corruption cases against them are complete, lawyers and officials said.
Corruption charges
The Supreme Court ruling came after the interim government appealed against a High Court action that granted "anticipatory bail" to a trader charged, under emergency rules, with selling adulterated edible oil in April last year.
Since April last year, the High Court has also granted anticipatory bail to several others charged with corruption. It was not immediately clear if the previous bails would be cancelled following yesterday's ruling.
The interim government launched a nationwide anti-corruption drive after taking power, which has seen police detain more than 170 political figures, including Hasina and Khalida.
Hasina is currently on trial for corruption, while a prosecution against Khalida is due to begin soon. Both deny the charges and say the cases against them are politically motivated.
But their parties, the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had demanded that the two women be released, at least on bail, to prepare for elections due late this year.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
King Tut's tomb set for project
Observers note strange brown spots marring lavish wall paintings
-
Thieves caught with Dh6m in gold
Twenty-five gold bars were stolen from the luggage of a Malaysian tradesman
-
What to expect at the Dubai Airshow
We preview what types of aircraft to expect at the Dubai Airshow
