Hasina fails to appear in court due to illness

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Sheikh Hasina did not appear Wednesday as scheduled before the Special Judges' Court set up on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises, reports bdnews24.com.
The former prime minister reportedly remained unwell after falling sick the previous day.
Judge Md Firoz Alam arrived in the court room around 10.00 am on the day to resume proceedings of a corruption case against Hasina involving illegally awarded contracts to set up barge mounted power plants.
Referring to the February 6 High Court verdict that quashed a separate extortion case against Hasina after ruling illegal its transfer under emergency powers rules (EPR), Hasina's lawyers said the present case should be dismissed since it had also been transferred under EPR.
The defence further asked the court to release Hasina.
"She is suffering from a number of physical complications including headaches, eye ailments and high blood pressure. She should be freed," they said.
The prosecution lawyers argued against such a course of action.
The court will continue hearing of the case February 19.