Tarique, Mamun realised Tk 20.41cr to give contracts
ACC official tells court
BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun had realised Tk 20.41 crore in foreign currencies from different firms and institutions to award them contracts, an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) official told a Dhaka court yesterday.
The amount was later deposited to an account with the Citibank, N.A. in Singapore between 2003 and 2007, Mohammad Ibrahim, an ACC assistant director, said while giving his deposition before the Third Special Judge's Court in the money laundering case filed against the duo.
Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain recorded the deposition of Ibrahim, also the complainant in the case, and fixed today for the next hearing.
Mamun's lawyer will cross-examine the complainant today while no lawyer will stand to defend Tarique, elder son of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, as he is shown fugitive in the case. Mamun was produced before the court yesterday.
Ibrahim said he had filed the case on October 26, 2009 with Cantonment Police Station after finding proof of money laundering charges against them.
The trial began on September 11 with the deposition of the complainant, following framing of the charges on August 8. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Tarique who is at present in London.
The charges were pressed against the duo on July 6 last year.
Out of the 15 cases against Tarique, this is the first to go on trial in his absence. He was arrested on March 7, 2007 on corruption charges during the military-backed caretaker government and was released on bail on September 3, 2008 for treatment.
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