The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may fly anytime to the USA via London for medical treatment with completion of the legal procedures, while the other detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday renewed her request for sending both of her imprisoned sons-Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko-abroad for the same purpose, saying she would not leave the country on medical grounds.

Arafat Rahman Koko is likely to fly to Singapore any moment for medical treatment.

Informed sources said this, while talking to The New Nation yesterday adding that that the issue was discussed at a high-level meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO).

There were speculations in the capital that Sheikh Hasina and Koko might be flown anytime after midnight last night.

A large number of Awami League and BNP organisers, supporters and journalists converged near the Special Jail on the premises of the sprawling Parliament building complex, where Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina has been held since her arrest in a graft case on July 16 last year, and Bangbandhu Medical University Complex, where Koko is detained at a prison-cabin.

Besides, huge political activists and journalists also gathered at the ZIA International Airport, where security was tightened from last evening.

The ongoing trial of these VIP prisoners, who are facing scrutiny in the court of law in a number of separate corruption charges, will continue even if they were allowed to go abroad on bail or parole, highly placed official sources said.

Barrister Shafique Ahmed, one of the top counsels of Sheikh Hasina, confirmed this while talking to this Correspondent last evening, adding, "All legal barriers have been removed to clear the way for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's going abroad for better medical treatment.

"All Sheikh Hasina now needs is an order from the Government," he said, as the Special Judge's Court-2 on Parliament complex heard an appeal for her release on bail.

Last year the government had taken initiative to send the two former prime ministers for medical treatment abroad when legal proceedings in graft cases had not been started against them. While Sheikh Hasina was agreeable to acceptance of the arrangement, Begum Khaleda Zia was not.

Senior AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu, who is one of the key negotiators of the party with the Government, told The New Nation that the AL would pay the cost of treatment of Sheikh Hasina.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is also detained at the same vicinity, said she would not go for medical treatment abroad since the country has enough medical experts to attend her.

"But, she has requested the Government to send her sons-Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Konko-abroad for medical treatment since both of them are critically ill," BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said after meeting Begum Zia in a special court yesterday.

"The former Prime Minister did not elaborate," he said, adding the Government has already formed a medical board for examining Tarique Rahman, who is also the Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP.

"The BNP will bear the cost of medical treatment of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko," Khanfaker Delwar added.

Earlier, on Friday three separate official medical boards submitted their reports to the government after examining Sheikh Hasina, Begum Zia and Arafat Rahman Koko with recommendation to send them abroad for medical treatment immediately.

Sheikh Hasina's scientist husband Dr Wazed Mia, in a letter to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the first week of March this year, requested the Government to release her on parole for treatment abroad, while AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on March 12 pleaded to release her for the same purpose.

Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and Koko's wife Sharmily Rahman recently formally applied to the Government to release their husbands on parole for sending them abroad for medical treatment.

Barrister Shafque Ahmed said another appeal seeking exemption for Sheikh Hasina from a legal binding to appear in the Court in person in the Barge-mounted Power Plants Scam case was moved.

The court is expected to deliver its decision today, the lawyer, who met Sheikh Hasina in a Special Court in the afternoon, added.