The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Lawyers for detained former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia are planning to submit bail petitions in the High Court vacation bench tomorrow seeking her bail in the GATCO and Niko corruption cases.

"We'll file appeals in the High Court on Sunday (today) for her bail in the GATCO and Niko cases," said Khaleda's lawyer Barrister Nasiruddin Ashim while talking to reporters yesterday.

He hoped that Begum Zia would get bail in the two cases as other accused persons in the cases have been granted bail earlier.

Barrister Asim said Khaleda's bail in the cases would be secured through legal process.

Out of four, Begum Zia has already secured bail in two cases-Zia Orphanage Trust and Baropukuria Coalmine cases.

After obtaining bail in the GATCO and Niko corruption cases, all obstacles will be removed from Begum Zia's release on bail.

It is reported that the BNP Chairperson refused to be released on parole or on the basis of executive order, rather she wanted freedom through legal process.

Adviser for Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman on Thursday told reporters that the former prime minister would get released if she gets bail in the two cases.

He also said the government would not oppose her bail petitions.

Reacting on the statement of Zillur Rahman Barrister Ashim said Begum Zia would be released through legal process and there is no scope here for the government to intervene in court matters.

The GATCO case was filed on September 2 last year and the NIKO case on May 5 against Khaleda Zia and some members of her cabinet.

It has been alleged in the charge sheet of GATCO case that the accused persons by misusing power gave work of operating Chittagong Port and Kamalapur Container Depot to Global Agro Trade Company (GATCO) while that Niko case alleges that the agreement with the Canadian company on exploration of oil and gas made the state count about Tk 13,777 crore in losses.