August 28, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 14, 1428

DHAKA, Aug 27: Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who was arrested as part of the emergency government’s crackdown on corruption, one of her lawyers said.

“A full bench of the Supreme Court headed by the chief justice stayed the High Court orders that granted bail to Ms Wajed in two extortion cases,” said her lawyer Sahara Khatun.

“It’s a big setback for us. There is now no chance that she will be freed anytime soon.” Monday’s decision was the court’s final ruling.

The court also ordered the former prime minister, who has been detained since July 16, to submit details of her financial affairs to the anti-corruption commission within seven days, Ms Khatun said.

Ms Wajed, who is being held at a house in the parliament complex, is among 150 high-profile figures who have been arrested as part of the anti-graft campaign.—AFP