August 31, 2003	Sunday	Rajab 2, 1424

DHAKA, Aug 30: Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president and leader of the opposition in the parliament, was granted bail on Saturday in a corruption case regarding the purchase of South Korean frigate for Bangladesh Navy.

The Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Dhaka, Alhaj Matiur Rahman, also waived the physical appearance of Ms Hasina before the court in further proceedings of the case.

The same court also granted bail to Abdul Awal Mintoo, newly elected president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), who is a co-accused in the case, up to the next date of hearing of the case scheduled for Sept 22.

Ms Hasina appeared before the court at around 2:00 pm, with the entire court premises already packed up by her party workers, who were chanting anti-government slogans. The administration deployed a heavy contingent of police to avert any untoward incident.

Four other accused in the case are former naval chief Rear Admiral M. Nurul Islam (retired), Commodore AKM Azad (retired), Commodore Harunur Rashid (retired), and Commodore M. Shahabuddin (retired).

Harunur Rashid and M. Shahabuddin were grated bail on Aug 10, which was extended up to Sept 22.

After she was granted bail, Ms Hasina claimed on the court premises gathering that the government of Khaleda Zia filed the corruption case only to “harass” her. “Awami League government had rather saved public money by procuring the frigate at a comparatively low price.”

The AL chief also accused the government of “indiscriminate corrupt practices” and unleashing a “reign of terror against its political opponents”.