The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, yesterday reached Bangkok and got admitted in Burmungrad Hospital.

Quoting family sources, Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, counsel of Begum Khaleda Zia, told The New Nation last night that Koko has reached in Bangkok at 4:15pm (BST) and got admitted in the Burmungrad Hospital for medical treatment.

Earlier, Koko, along with his family members, left Dhaka for Bangkok by a Thai Airways flight at about 1:00pm.

Family sources said, Koko's wife Sharmila Rahman Tabassum, two daughters-Zahia Rahman and Zafia Rahman-and brother-in-law Mustakim Reza accompanied him.

Amid stringent security measures, Koko was taken to Zia International Airport (ZIA) from his Dhaka Cantonment residence by an ambulance at about 12:15pm.

Huge number of leaders and activists of BNP and its front organisations were found at ZIA. They tried to come near the ambulance carrying Koko but failed due to security measure.

However, they chanted various slogans demanding the release of Begum Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman.

Talking to reporters at ZIA, Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas said all measures have been taken for the treatment of Koko at Burmungrad Hospital in Bangkok.

Koko, who has been suffering from chronic respiratory complications, sought blessing of countrymen before leaving the capital, he said.

Koko was released on Thursday from the prison ward of BSMMU Hospital on parole for two months on medical grounds.

Earlier, a Dhaka court also exempted him from appearing in hearing of a case filed by the Anticorruption Commission (ACC) against him.

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

During his stay in his Cantonment residence, a limited number of his relatives were permitted to meet him.