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Download PDF At least nine VIP prisoners have so far appealed to the government for going abroad for treatment while many others do not appear before the court during trial proceedings of cases filed against them on grounds of being ill.
Awami League (AL) chief and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil and BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko are already staying abroad for treatment.
Those who have appealed for treatment abroad are Khaleda’s eldest son and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, AL Presidium member and former minister Mohammad Nasim, former BNP lawmaker MA Hashem, Khaleda’s adviser Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, former BNP minister Mirza Abbas and former BNP lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Chowdhury.
Besides Hasina, Jalil and Koko, the court has exempted Nasim and General (retd) Mustafizur Rahman from appearing before it during trial proceedings.
Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Zakir Hassan said, “Through the government we have received applications for treatment abroad from nine VIP prisoners.”
The government would decide whether their applications would be granted, he told The Daily Star.
He also said many other VIP prisoners do not appear before the court in person due to sickness.
Tarique Rahman appeared before the court seven times although he was scheduled to appear 34 times. Koko was supposed to appear before the court 17 times but he appeared six times, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and AL leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury was supposed to appear 14 times but he appeared nine times, and former AL state minister Prof Rafiqul Islam was supposed to appear 36 times but he did 26 times.
According to jail sources, there are around 70 VIP prisoners including Khaleda, former ministers, lawmakers, business tycoons and their spouses who are staying in jail on charges of amassing illegal wealth, graft and corruption. Of them, at least 16 are now receiving treatment at different hospitals.
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