The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Ending all speculations Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was released yesterday on parole for two months by a government executive order on medical grounds.

Family sources said Koko, who has been suffering from chronic respiratory complications, would be taken abroad as soon as possible for treatment since his physicians suggested sending him abroad for better treatment.

Koko was under treatment at the prison ward of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and was moved to his Dhaka Cantonment residence by an ambulance at about 6:00pm following the release order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Huge number of BNP leaders and activists received Koko on the BSMMU premises. At a stage police had to charge baton to disperse the mob who were trying to enter inside the hospital by chanting slogans.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the parole order in a circular with a set of conditions.

Leaders and activists of the BNP, including its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and leaders of the four-party alliance, have been demanding the release of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman to send them abroad for treatment.

Koko's wife Sarmili Rahman, earlier, had appealed to the Caretaker Government for the release of her ailing husband for better treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, Adviser for Home Affairs Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin told reporters that Koko was released for eight weeks on parole on human grounds for treatment.

Replying to a question about the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman, he said, "You (journalists) will know in time."

Koko's counsel Md Sanaullah Miah quoted Koko's wife Sharmili Rahman as saying, "Immediately after the release he (Koko) will be taken to Bangkok for treatment.

Necessary steps have also been taken to arrange the necessary funds for this since bank accounts of Koko remained frozen, the counsel informed.

He, however, said that Koko's wife would take the final decision in this regard.

A government handout said Arafat Rahman Koko was temporarily released on conditions for treatment for two months from July 17 to September 16 this year.

The conditions include not to get involved with any political or business affairs, communicate with any organisation or person except his health grounds and surrender before the court after his treatment before ending of tenure of his release.

The handout said the decision of temporary release would be cancelled in violation of the conditions. Besides, the government could cancel the order anytime and showing any reason, it added.

Earlier, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Golam Rabbani, exempted Koko from his personal appearing in court in the ACC case on charges of concealing wealth information.

Along with his mother, Koko was arrested on September 3 last year as an accused in the GATCO scam case.

The Ministry of Law and Justice earlier, gave its opinion that Koko might be released under CrPC sections 401 (4A) and 540 (A) under which former prime minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was also released under the same provisions for her treatment abroad.