April 08, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1429

DHAKA, April 7: Detained former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a court on Monday a graft charge against her over a power plant deal was politically motivated, her lawyer said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has accused Hasina of accepting 30 million taka ($440,000) in kickbacks in a power plant deal during her 1996-2001 term.

The graft hearing has been delayed on several occasions due to the former prime minister’s ill health, but a frail looking Hasina appeared in court on Monday and denied the charges.

“The charges are false and politically motivated,” a defence lawyer quoted Hasina as telling the court. “After hearing both the prosecution and defence lawyers, the court has deferred the session until Thursday,” a court official said.

Hasina also faces another graft charge for allegedly extorting more than $400,000 from a businessman when she was in power between 1996 and 2001.

Hasina’s rival and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia who is also in jail on Monday demanded the release of Hasina.

“The government should release former prime minister Hasina so that she can travel abroad for treatment,” Khaleda’s lawyer said.—Reuters