DOT Desk: BDNP Chairrson Khaleda Zia today said the opposition can be from out of the parliament if the party works for the benefit of the people, reports The Daily Star. She made the remarks at the makeshift court set up inside Old Dhaka Central Jail during a hearing on the Niko graft case. During today’s hearing, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, an accused in the case, told the court: “We are in danger as we are in the opposition.” Countering Moudud’s speech, one of the defense lawyers said: “You (BNP) are not even in the parliament as opposition at present.” BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s comments came following the defense lawyer’s remarks. Earlier around 12:20pm, Khaleda was taken to the Special Judge Court-9 of judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman in a wheelchair.
The court fixed January 21 for the next hearing after concluding today’s hearing.
On December 9, 2007, the ACC filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing Khaleda and 10 others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko.
On October 29, Khaleda was convicted and sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
Khaleda landed in jail being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case by the same court on February 8. The High Court later extended her jail terms in the case to 10 years.
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