The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahidul Islam

Three high-powered official medical boards have examined the two detained former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia and the latter’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko in prison separately during the last couple days, triggering speculations in the political and diplomatic circles in the capital yesterday.

Highly placed official sources said the medical boards would submit their reports, including recommendations, to the Government tomorrow and Monday.

As per the Government’s previous announcement, only those high-profile detained VIPs, would be sent abroad for medical treatment on parole on the recommendation of the boards.

When contacted yesterday evening, Inspector General (Prisons) Brig Gen Md Zakir Hasan confirmed that three separate medical boards have examined Begum Khaleda Zia, Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko, in presence of the prison officials. All od them are suffering from multiple ailments, he added.

Separate medical boards examined Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko on Thursday, while Begum Zia yesterday afternoon. Sheikh Hasina, who is the President of the Awami League, and Begum Zia, the BNP Chairperson, were examined at their respective prison-bungalows on the premises of Parliament building complex, while Arafat Rahman Koko at his Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) prison cabin.

Five-member each medical boards-Prof Dr Syed Maruf Ali and Prof Dr Saleh Ahmed of the National Eye Science Institute and Hospital led the teams of medical experts for Sheikh Hasina and Begum Zia respectively, while Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman of the Institute of Diseases of the Chest & Hospital (IDCH) headed the team for Koko.

There were speculations in the city following the breaking of the news of the medical check up of the VIP prisoners that the Government has started the process of sending Sheikh Hasina and Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for treatment on parole, while Begum Zia was screened to ascertained her latest health condition.

Informed sources said the medical boards were formed following backstage parleys between senior leaders of the two major political parties-the AL and BNP-and the Government.

Earlier, in the first week of March, Sheikh Hasina's scientist husband Dr Wazed Mia, in a letter to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, requested the Government to send her abroad for medical treatment on parole. Sheikh Hasina also gave her consent to go to the US for medical treatment and replacement of her hearing aid.

The AL, however, asked the Government formally on March 12 to free her for treatment abroad without any precondition, which foiled Dr Wazed’s move to free his wife on parole. Dhaka City AL later submitted a memorandum signed by over 18 lakh people to the Chief Adviser’s Office for her release.

Begum Khaleda Zia, while appearing in a Special Court in connection with GATCO scam case on Wednesday requested the Government to send her younger son abroad for treatment, as Koko’s health condition deteriorated in the Courtroom in her presence.

Sources close to their family said yesterday Koko’s wife Sharmili Rahman meanwhile applied to the Chief Adviser to send her husband abroad.

Sources close to the AL leadership told this Correspondent that the senior party leaders have assured the Government of not launching any anti-administration street agitation, if Sheikh Hasina was sent abroad for treatment.

Another source said a top diplomat of a powerful western country brokered a deal between the Government and Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders. The Government is insisting that the AL should sit for dialogue before Sheikh Hasina was sent abroad, while her party prefers to sit after her departure.

When contacted, influential AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu expressed satisfaction as the Government medical board examined Sheikh Hasina.

“We hope that the Government will send Sheikh Hasina abroad for treatment this time,” he said. He, however, would not say whether they had any deal with the authorities.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday at a press conference requested the Government to send Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for treatment as per law of the land.

IG (Prisons) Brig Gen Zakir Hossain, however, expressed his ignorance about any such arrangements.

“We don't know anything about sending them abroad. That will be decided at the highest level of the government. But everything will depend on the reports of the medical boards,” he said when asked whether the medical boards examined them as part of the official process to send them abroad.

US to probe why Guantanamo detainees talked

AP, Guantanamo

U.S. military officers responsible for defending Guantanamo detainees said they will investigate why five men accused in the Sept. 11 attacks were allowed to talk among themselves at their arraignment, allegedly pressuring one of the defendants to reject his lawyers