Khaleda-Zia: Out on parole

Former Bangladesh prime-minister Khaleda Zia and her two sons were temporarily released from jail to attend the funeral service of her-mother, an official said.

"The authorities have released Khaleda-Zia and her two sons on parole for several hours to attend the funeral service of her mother," home ministry spokesman Shahnur Mia said.

Zia, the country's last elected prime minister and the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and her two sons were arrested last year by the country's military-backed emergency government.

Via AFP

Bangladesh:Former minister jailed for terrorism links

A court in Bangladesh has jailed a former minister for 31 years for aiding Islamic militants who were hanged for killing two judges, officials said.

The court in Rajshahi town convicted Aminul Huq for helping Jamatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB).

Mr Huq served as telecommunications minister in the government of former prime-minister Khaleda Zia.

In recent years, Bangladesh has seen violence by militants wanting to establish strict Islamic practices in the country.

In August 2005, more than 300 explosive devices were set off almost simultaneously in 50 cities and towns.

News Via BBC

Bangladesh: Military's Six Months in Power

When high-profile politicians were jailed in Dhaka for alleged corruption after an interim government took power in January, there was widespread incredulity in a country where political leaders were never seen as accountable.

Six months on, many people acknowledge that the army-backed administration is determined to root out corruption.

More than 170 political leaders are behind bars. The crackdown has earned accolades among ordinary people who are disillusioned with politicians.

Many of them have been accused of amassing personal wealth and ignoring the country's development needs.

Related Link: VOA News Report

Some analysts think the emergency administration will only hold elections when it has achieved its other major goal, reforming the country's two main political parties.

Despite the delay in elections, many people remain optimistic that the interim government can lead the country out of the crisis it faced in January. Then, differences between the two main political parties on how to hold elections triggered bloody street battles.

News via VOA

Former PMs lose control of parties

Former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, are looking extremely isolated in the unofficial political-scene.

While there is a ban on political activities, the military-backed interim administration is allowing influential members of both-parties to discuss the inevitable possibilities of reforms, from within.

In recent round-table meetings, different factions in both parties have been eager to get their message to the media, after years of suppression from the very top. Critics have however suggested that, the military intelligence has been successful enough to pervade the once daunting barriers of both the leading parties.

Leading Awami League stalwart Tofael Ahmed, a former minister said that, "while a proposal to curb the power of party president is under discussion , no proposals would be taken leaving out Sheikh Hasina".

Bangladesh: Environments worst friend

In Chittagong, families of the recently deceased in the monsoon ravaged region are seeking answers from the current interim-administration, after years of constant depletion and destruction of their own environment.

Special NFB-Blog report

Image by Monsoon Lover

In the 1990's, after the inauguration of democracy, Bangladesh witnessed a boom in its real estate sector. What followed it, was shameless destruction of nature reserves all over Bangladesh. Chittagong was not the only victim.

Places like Sylhet, the greater region of Dhaka, and outskirts of other major cities like Barisal, Rajshahi, Khulna and Narayanganj became the prized property for fly-by real estate companies, who exploited their contacts in government through regular pay-offs.

Leading companies in the private sector were the main culprits, though, ironically government sector organizations played a pivotal role in depleting the environment to its current state.

While Chittagong has seen the worst display of human-exploitation, in recent years. In Sylhet, tea estates and other natural entities have been crushed, as companies exploited relaxed environmental legislations, aiming to build the so called mega-cities of the future, targeted towards the large expatriate community.

Dhaka's environment has been brought to its current depleted state by companies like the Bashundhara Group (East West Property Development), Rangs Group, Partex Group and other leading private sector developers. Critics of Bangladeshi governments since the 90's, have widely accused politicians of profiting from deals worth millions.

Some have even alleged that, the leading ladies Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia were the recipients of prized real-estate possessions from some leading real-estate developers. The current caretaker government has been forced to look deeply behind the cause of the death of more than a hundred people, in a night of stormy-weather.

It has formed a high-level team to investigate, why for years, the beautiful mountains of Chittagong were savaged by profiteering & land-grabbing rackets, led by politicans, businesses and high-ranking government officials.

Whatever the outcome of the investigations of the environment-trade carried out by businesses and politicians alike, It will take many-years for Bangladesh to regain its lost environmental treasures.

However, we hope criminals, whether politicians or businesses; are brought to justice, so Bangladesh can be saved from becoming the worst friend to world-environment.

Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to be exposed

Following the leakage of sensitive-tapes to the media, regarding interviews with leading politicians. Preparations are on full-swing among the current Bangladeshi administrators to expose the leading ladies to the Bangladeshis, who have been long revered as idols.

The investigative-unit (TFI) is preparing a case for a humiliating exit for Sheikh Hasina & Khaleda Zia, leaders of Awami League & the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, respectively. Reports from Dhaka suggest; to build a platform for their exit, edited details of these controversial interviews will be shown on television.

Both leaders are likely to be questioned at their homes, and, if the investigators aren't greeted with cooperation, they will use evidence from the interrogations.

Bangladesh joins the political spin game!

The airwaves of Dhaka is rife with the news of how much Sheikh Hasina extorted from businesses, offering them generous licenses to operate in the public domain.

Apparent conversations of officials with the arrested politicans, including Awami League's 'Abdul Jalil', are increasingly occupying the discussions in tea-stalls among the rural communities in Bangladesh.

While the majority of the public are supportive of the current interim-government's actions, some have questioned the leakage of such sensitive materials.

The defense argues that, this leakage of interviews of the accused, proves that it's 'the-end' for both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.

Related Link: Political Spin

> Image by Little Tramp

Former PMs reject corruption charges

DHAKA, June 8 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's two former prime ministers have rejected accusations of corruption and abuse of power and said the country's army-backed interim administration had targeted them to tarnish their image.

"All these charges are false and baseless," immediate past prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia told reporters, breaking a long silence since January when the administration launched a drive to clean up politics ahead of elections late next year.

Khaleda's rival Sheikh Hasina, chief of the Awami League and a former prime minister, also denied allegations of extortion and corruption against her. "They are telling all lies. They are devoid of any truth," she told reporters.

News via Reuters AlertNet

Khaleda Zia in murder probe

A court in Bangladesh has told police to investigate whether former prime minister Khaleda Zia should face murder charges over a 2004 grenade attack.

Twenty-seven others, including her son Tareque Rahman and senior members of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party, are also under investigation.


At least 20 people died in the attack on the Awami League rally in Dhaka. Its leader Sheikh Hasina was injured. Ms Zia, who was in power at the time, denied she had tried to kill her rival.

News via BBC