The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahidul Islam

Sending her elder son Tarique Rahman abroad for medical treatment and returning of the money he laundered abroad are delaying the release of detained Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko release on parole, sources close to the negotiators told The New Nation yesterday.

Begum Zia, also the BNP Chairperson, is pressing for the release of her elder simultaneously along with her and Koko while the official negotiators telling that Tarique Rahman will meet them abroad later on.

Assurance to return the illegally siphoned of money abroad by Tarique Rahman is one of the main impediments that has not yet settled, the sources added. In addition to graft cases like Begum Zia and Koko, Tarique is facing trial in Bashundhara Group's Director Sabbir Murder Case.

The other pre-conditions for their release include an assurance from her that she or her sons would not issue any political or anti-government public statement at home and abroad, the BNP would take part in the general elections, refrain from launching an anti-government agitation and her family would cooperate with the concerned Bangladesh Missions abroad to know the progress of their medical treatment.

Official negotiators are also pressing that the BNP would refrain from demanding the release of its leaders, including Begum Zia's former Cabinet colleagues, who were already been convicted in graft cases, as agreed by the other former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was released yesterday, sources close to the BNP mediators said.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, who reportedly had backstage parleys with both the former detained Prime Ministers recently, yesterday told journalists that the Caretaker government was attaching the highest importance to releasing Begum Zia and her two sons for medical treatment on humanitarian considerations.

A source yesterday claimed that Begum Zia, following the release of her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina, yesterday might agree to go abroad for medical treatment along with Arafat Rahman Koko. She sought assurance from the Government that Tarique would join them abroad after her departure.

When asked, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said he did know any such arrangement. "We don't support the pre-condition to send Begum Zia abroad for releasing her sons for medical treatment abroad, as she does not want to leave the country," he said.

However, Khandaker Delwar, a top lawyer for Begum Zia's family, would not say as to why they were not moving the Court seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial for the former Prime Minister and her two ailing sons-Tarique Rahman and Koko-as was done by Sheikh Hasina's lawyers.

Their counsel Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokan after meeting Begum Zia at her prison-bungalow yesterday evening told this Correspondent that they were expecting to move the Court seeking the exemption from personal attendance during the trial within a day and two, when the issues might be resolved.

"Begum Zia does not want to go abroad. She wants her both the sons to be allowed medical treatment abroad," he said.

Barrister Khokon, however, hastened to add, "We will move the Court seeking exemption from personal appearance during the trial for Tarique Rahman and Koko as per Section 540 (A) of the CrPC, the moment Begum Zia gives her consent to do so."

"This is the primary legal way, which was applied in the case of former Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, before getting the Government order to release them from prison as per concerned sections of the emergency power rules (EPR)," Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal, one of the counsel of Begum Zia, told The New Nation.

"Otherwise, even the Government cannot issue an executive order to release an under trial detenue since EPR does not allows a trial Court to entertain bail petition," Barrister Kazal Added.

Meanwhile, wife of Begum Zia's younger brother Maj (retd) Saeed Eskandor Ms Nasreen Eskandor, who met her in the Special Court on Tuesday, informed the BNP Chairperson about the arrangements for the medical treatment of Tarique and Koko both in Singapore and Bangkok.

Saeed Eskandor, a former BNP MP, who was promoted to the post of one of the many Vice-Chairmen of the party by her sister just weeks before Begum Zia arrest on September 3 last year, is now staying in Bangkok. He lives in Singapore in an undeclared self-exile.

It, however, could not be ascertained till filing of this report last night as to whether Begum Zia would prefer their treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or Singapore or any other country.