MiG-29 Purchase
Trial in graft case resumes
The trial in the MiG-29 purchase graft case resumed yesterday at a Dhaka court with the deposition of complainant, Abdullah Al Zahid, deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Judge Mohammad Abdul Majid of the Special Court for Dhaka Division recorded statement of the complainant and fixed May 3 for the next hearing after the defendants' lawyers cross-examined him.
The four accused are Air Marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed, former Defence Secretary Syed Yusuf Hossain, Air Commodore (retd) Mirza Akhter Maruf and former joint secretary Mohammad Hossain Serniabat.
Of them, only Akhter Maruf was present during yesterday's hearing while lawyers represented three others in their absence.
Earlier on April 6, this year the same court dropped all charges against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was also an accused of the case.
The High Court on March 9 last year quashed the case proceedings against her.
On August 12, 2008, the court relieved another accused, former army chief Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman of all charges in the case, after he died on August 3.
The proceeding against Unique Group Managing Director Nur Ali was stayed following a writ petition challenging the legality of the case.
On August 20, 2008, the same court framed charges against Hasina and five others in connection with the case.
The case was filed on December 11, 2001 with Tejgaon Police Station against Hasina and six others.
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