Dhaka
Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been acquitted in five cases, including charges related to celebrating a ‘fake birthday’ and supporting war criminals. The acquittal orders were issued on Tuesday by courts in Dhaka.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubul Haque’s court acquitted Zia in four cases, while Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain’s court acquitted her in one case. The acquittals occurred after the plaintiffs failed to appear in court.
In August 2016, Zia faced a case filed by a journalist for allegedly celebrating her birthday on August 15, a date associated with the national mourning for the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The plaintiff claimed Zia’s choice of date was meant to damage the reputation of Rahman and his family.
In November 2016, another case was filed accusing Zia of supporting war criminals. Other cases included defamation charges and derogatory comments about the Liberation War victims.
Zia, who had been under house arrest for five years, returned home from the hospital last month after receiving a presidential pardon. Her acquittal follows the recent political changes in Bangladesh.
