Bangladesh's Top Court Denies Bail to Ex-PM Hasina
By VOA News
30 October 2008
Bangladesh's Supreme Court has denied bail to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, threatening her chances of participating in upcoming national elections.
Ms. Hasina is currently on medical parole in the United States. Her lawyers said Thursday's ruling means she cannot run for office in the December 18 election.
The Awami League leader spent a year in detention in Bangladesh on corruption charges until authorities allowed her to travel to the United States in June for medical treatment.
Ms. Hasina was denied bail in a case in which she is accused of extorting $750,000 from a businessman when she was prime minister.
Her political rival, Khaleda Zia, was released on bail from a Bangladeshi prison in September. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader also spent a year in detention on corruption charges.
It is not clear if the two parties will take part in December's election while their leaders are barred from running.
A lower court in Bangladesh denied bail to Ms. Hasina last month, prompting her to appeal to the country's top court.
A military-backed interim government imposed emergency rule in Bangladesh in January 2007 after widespread violence erupted between supporters of the two parties.
The government canceled planned elections and launched an anti-corruption campaign, arresting several top politicians, including the former prime ministers.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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