Court Takes up Murder Case Against ex-PM

A Bangladesh court ordered police on Tuesday to investigate charges of murder against former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

A Bangladesh court ordered police on Tuesday to investigate charges of murder against former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and 27 others for involvement in a deadly grenade attack in 2004 on an opposition rally, court officials said.

The grenades exploded at a rally being addressed by Khaleda's rival Sheikh Hasina, killing 23 members of the Awami League. Hasina escaped unhurt but suffered partial loss of hearing due to the impact of the blasts. About 150 people were wounded in the attack on August 21, 2004, police and party officials said.

Police did not probe the country's worst attack on a political rally during the rule of Khaleda, which ended last October.

The two women have alternated as prime ministers of the impoverished south Asian country for 15 years since 1991 but remained bitter foes, without speaking to each other for more than a decade.

Hasina herself faces charges of murder linked to political violence in the capital, following Khaleda's exit from power, which led to the imposition of emergency and ban on political activity by the interim authority.

The authority also cancelled an election planned for January 22, in which Khaleda and Hasina would again be the key contenders.

Officials said the military-backed government is targeting both the ex-premiers in the anti-corruption drive as their family members and relatives have been detained on charges of graft, extortion and abuse of power.

Separately, in another move which could affect the election, officials have barred loan defaulters from serving on the committees of business groups, which are seen as a stepping stone to politics.

Mohammad Ali, currently senior vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), is among the top loan defaulters, central bank officials said. But he is seen as a frontrunner for president in the next FBCCI election.

Many top trade body leaders also keep close links with major political parties or their leaders, giving them money in return for business favours, officials said.

Army-led security forces have detained two former FBCCI chiefs -- Salman F. Rahman and Abdul Awal Mintoo -- for allegedly bribing the parties of Hasina and Khaleda.

Mintoo was detained in the latest anti-corruption sweep last week, while Salman was arrested in March.

Police said they were still investigating the chrarges while both the business tycoons are in jail.