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| Bangladesh | |
| Court orders Koko's arrest | |
| 2010-11-01 | |
| [Bangla Daily Star] A Dhaka court yesterday issued a warrant for arrest of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in a money-laundering case. It also directed the police to report by November 30 on execution of the warrant. "The court order means there's no legal bar to arresting Koko on his return to the country," Mosharraf Hossain Kajol, special public prosecutor dealing with graft cases, told The Daily Star yesterday.
Incensed, pro-BNP lawyers brought out a procession on the court premises, demanding cancellation of the arrest warrant. Asked about the court decision, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said, "How long will a person be on parole? Should parole last forever?" Talking to The Daily Star last night, he also said, "Since the court, not the government, has issued the warrant, Koko must face it. If he is found innocent in the trial, he will come out free." Only after appearing before the court can he seek an extension of his parole on health grounds, added the state minister. Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... a ruling Awami League leader speaking in return for anonymity said the government has had the warrant issued to keep Khaleda Zia in pressure. Judge Mozammel Hossain of Special Judge's Court-3 ordered Koko's arrest on a petition filed by the prosecution. He said the accused must appear before the court, or they will be tried in absentia. Fixing November 30 for hearing on charge-framing against Koko and Ismail Hossain Saimon, the court directed the officer-in-charge of Kafrul Police Station to report back within a month. Saimon, son of former shipping minister Akbar Hossain, has been on the run since the Anti-corruption Commission filed the money-laundering case against him and Koko on March 17 last year. In the case statement, the anti-graft body said the accused had laundered money they received from China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and Siemens for helping them win government contracts. China Harbour got a Tk 351 crore contract to set up New Mooring Container Terminal and Siemens a Tk 239 crore contract to supply and install equipment for Teletalk, the state-owned mobile phone operator. | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 my nic doesn't reflect it, but my nickname is Koko (based on my last name). I got scared there for a moment... |
| Posted by: IG-88 2010-11-01 14:02 |
| #1 Koko - named after that gorilla that could sign? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2010-11-01 11:36 |