FBI agent to testify in graft case against Tarique

FE Team | Published: November 16, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

A Dhaka court Tuesday allowed a US FBI official to testify in a graft case against opposition leader and ex-premier Khaleda Zia's fugitive elder son Tarique Rahman as he is being tried in absentia, reports BSS. "The judge ordered the appearance of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Debra Laprevotte today to testify in the money laundering case" against main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman, an official of special judge's court said. He said special Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain came up with the order as Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) chief counsel Anisul Huq submitted an application seeking to record the statement of FBI agent Debra Laprevotte, who had helped the graft watchdog investigate charges against Tarique Rahman and Giasuddin Al Mamun. Earlier, the argument and cross examination on the complaint lodged by Assistant Director of ACC Mohammad Ibrahim Miah was concluded. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was present. The trial of the money laundering case began on September 11 with the deposition of the complainant kicking off the trial of the first out of the 15 criminal and graft cases against Rahman. The court in August this year indicted main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia's "fugitive" elder son Tarique Rahman for money laundering and issued a warrant ordering his arrest to stand trial. The Special Judge's Court also indicted Rahman's business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun as they were to face a charge that alleged the two siphoned out at least Tk 204.1 million between 2003 and 2007.