Koko freed on parole for two months
Friday, 18 July 2008
The caretaker government Thursday issued an order releasing Arafat Rahman Koko on parole for two months for his medical treatment, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
The order from the Ministry of Home Affairs said Koko, detained ex-premier Khaleda Zia's younger son, was set free from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) until September 16 under certain conditions.
The set eight conditions are: Koko will be entitled to this opportunity for maximum two months, if he goes abroad for medical treatment, he or his close relatives will have to inform respective Bangladesh mission about his physical condition every three days, he cannot engage himself in any political, business or other activities, he cannot contact any person or organisation beyond medical concerns, if his treatment is finished before the parole deadline, he has to inform the government about that and appear before court on his return to the country, if any of the conditions is violated, his parole will be cancelled, and the government preserves the right to cancel the parole anytime without showing any reason.
Koko moved out to freedom in a wheelchair from the prison cell of BSMMU, where he was under treatment, at about 6pm following his release order. He left the hospital in an ambulance for his Dhaka Cantonment residence.
Several thousand leaders and activists of BNP and its front organisations received Koko. Police had to charge baton to hold back slogan-slanting activists pushing and shoving to get in through the hospital gate.
Home Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) MA Matin earlier said Koko was being set free for eight weeks for his treatment on humanitarian grounds.
Asked about the release of Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman, the adviser said: "You will know in time."
Koko is suffering from chronic respiratory complications, and physicians have suggested his treatment abroad.
Anti-graft courts have exempted him from personal attendance during trial proceedings because of his illness. However, another lawyer Zainal Abedin Mesbah said Koko is yet to be exempted in a third case involving extortion charges.
Koko was arrested on September 3 last year along with his mother in Gatco graft case, amid a crackdown on former ruling politicians and other bigwigs in the interim period. He was also indicted in another corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Earlier in the day, the Law Ministry gave the opinion that he might be released under CrPC sections 401 (4A) and 540 (A). Former PM and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was also released under the same provisions of the criminal law for her treatment abroad.
His lawyer Sanaullah Miah had earlier quoted Koko's wife Sharmila Rahman as saying: "Immediately after release he will be taken to Bangkok for treatment. Steps have been taken to arrange the necessary funds for this, as bank accounts remain frozen."
Sharmila had earlier appealed to the government for the release of her husband for better treatment overseas.
On the process of releasing Khaleda's elder son Tarique Rahman, the lawyer said: "We have heard that the matter of his release is also under consideration."
The order from the Ministry of Home Affairs said Koko, detained ex-premier Khaleda Zia's younger son, was set free from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) until September 16 under certain conditions.
The set eight conditions are: Koko will be entitled to this opportunity for maximum two months, if he goes abroad for medical treatment, he or his close relatives will have to inform respective Bangladesh mission about his physical condition every three days, he cannot engage himself in any political, business or other activities, he cannot contact any person or organisation beyond medical concerns, if his treatment is finished before the parole deadline, he has to inform the government about that and appear before court on his return to the country, if any of the conditions is violated, his parole will be cancelled, and the government preserves the right to cancel the parole anytime without showing any reason.
Koko moved out to freedom in a wheelchair from the prison cell of BSMMU, where he was under treatment, at about 6pm following his release order. He left the hospital in an ambulance for his Dhaka Cantonment residence.
Several thousand leaders and activists of BNP and its front organisations received Koko. Police had to charge baton to hold back slogan-slanting activists pushing and shoving to get in through the hospital gate.
Home Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) MA Matin earlier said Koko was being set free for eight weeks for his treatment on humanitarian grounds.
Asked about the release of Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman, the adviser said: "You will know in time."
Koko is suffering from chronic respiratory complications, and physicians have suggested his treatment abroad.
Anti-graft courts have exempted him from personal attendance during trial proceedings because of his illness. However, another lawyer Zainal Abedin Mesbah said Koko is yet to be exempted in a third case involving extortion charges.
Koko was arrested on September 3 last year along with his mother in Gatco graft case, amid a crackdown on former ruling politicians and other bigwigs in the interim period. He was also indicted in another corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Earlier in the day, the Law Ministry gave the opinion that he might be released under CrPC sections 401 (4A) and 540 (A). Former PM and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina was also released under the same provisions of the criminal law for her treatment abroad.
His lawyer Sanaullah Miah had earlier quoted Koko's wife Sharmila Rahman as saying: "Immediately after release he will be taken to Bangkok for treatment. Steps have been taken to arrange the necessary funds for this, as bank accounts remain frozen."
Sharmila had earlier appealed to the government for the release of her husband for better treatment overseas.
On the process of releasing Khaleda's elder son Tarique Rahman, the lawyer said: "We have heard that the matter of his release is also under consideration."