HC extends Coco parole by 40 days
Thu, Aug 26th, 2010 4:57 pm BdST
Dhaka, Aug 26 (bdnews24.com) — The High Court has extended by 40 days the parole of Arafat Rahman Coco, the younger son of opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
The court also warned that his parole would be cancelled if he did not report to the Bangladesh High Commission in Thailand every three days.
The bench of justices Md Abdul Wahhab Miah and Kazi Reza-ul-Huq also ordered the government to explain why the order that repealed the parole was not illegal.
Coco has been in Bangkok by having his parole periodically extended since he left home on July 19, 2008, just two days after he secured his first parole for eight weeks for medical treatment abroad.
The latest extension expired on last Aug 14, and another appeal for extension of his parole was filed with the home ministry on Aug 21.
On Aug 19, the home ministry, however, decided not to allow any more extension of his parole and asked him to come back home by Aug 31 against which BNP and its different wings had been in protests.
On Aug 22, the BNP announced protests on Aug 24 and 26 against the government decision for cancellation of Coco's parole.
The court also warned that his parole would be cancelled if he did not report to the Bangladesh High Commission in Thailand every three days.
The bench of justices Md Abdul Wahhab Miah and Kazi Reza-ul-Huq also ordered the government to explain why the order that repealed the parole was not illegal.
Coco has been in Bangkok by having his parole periodically extended since he left home on July 19, 2008, just two days after he secured his first parole for eight weeks for medical treatment abroad.
The latest extension expired on last Aug 14, and another appeal for extension of his parole was filed with the home ministry on Aug 21.
On Aug 19, the home ministry, however, decided not to allow any more extension of his parole and asked him to come back home by Aug 31 against which BNP and its different wings had been in protests.
On Aug 22, the BNP announced protests on Aug 24 and 26 against the government decision for cancellation of Coco's parole.
Warid Deal
Koko owns Dubai house under fictitious name
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Koko owns Dubai house under fictitious name
He also put $2m in Hong Kong banks, steps taken to sell property to pay govt; Babar minted $7m out of the project
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Koko placed 2009's medical certificate
Home secy says parole cancelled as per rule; Koko's lawyer submits fresh plea for parole extension Hasan Jahid Tusher and Rakib Hasnet Suman
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As per the parole conditions, Koko was supposed to inform his whereabouts to the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok every three days but he did not do so, said a top home ministry official yesterday asking not to be identified.
Moreover, he applied for further extension of parole a couple of weeks ago and attached a medical certificate to substantiate the cause. But the medical certificate was issued on November 17, 2009, which is very old and unacceptable to the government, the official added.
These are the main reasons why the government cancelled the parole on August 14 and asked Koko to surrender before a court by August 31.
The home ministry official said the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok officially informed them that they have no information regarding Koko's whereabouts since late 2009.
"The government cancelled the parole as per rules and no violation of law has been occurred in this regard," the official added.
Meanwhile, Koko's lawyer in a letter yesterday requested the home ministry to extend the parole considering his client's health and assured that he will inform his whereabouts to the embassy in Bangkok every three days.
Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder said he did not receive the letter as Saturday was a holiday. "The government upon receiving the application will decide about the parole," he said.
Koko, released on two months' parole on July 17, 2008 on medical grounds, was undergoing treatment at a Bangkok hospital.
Sources in the ruling Awami League say the parole was cancelled "to give BNP a lesson" as the main opposition was preparing grounds to bring back Koko and Tarique through movements which would make them "heroes".
"Now they say they will bring him [Koko] home to face the corruption charges against him," a senior AL leader told The Daily Star last night.
"The leader of the opposition will have to choose whether she wants treatment of her sons or movements to bring them back," he added.
Another leader said the parole was cancelled as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been "showing heavy sympathy" to the alleged war criminals and is "trying to save" Jamaat leaders held in this connection.
So the decision has been taken to put pressure on Khaleda, added the leader preferring not to be named.
Mahbubul Alam Hanif, special assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told The Daily Star the government cannot allow Koko to lead a luxurious life abroad on "smuggled" money after the violation of parole conditions.
"Koko is accused in a corruption case and must be brought back to country to face trial," said Hanif, also a joint general secretary of ruling Awami League. Actions would be taken against Koko as per the law, he added.
Koko's counsel Mahbubuddin Khokon submitted the letter to the home ministry urging the government to re-extend the parole.
Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday demanded unconditional release of Koko.
Party insiders say a writ petition might be filed with the High Court if the government does not extend the parole. But the decision will be finalised in consultation with Khaleda Zia, they add.
Sources say BNP chairperson's personal aide Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas went to the home ministry yesterday and submitted an application signed by Koko's counsel Khokon to the private secretary of the home secretary.
The private secretary accepted the application but did not agree to give a copy signed received, said BNP leaders.
Khokon, also a joint secretary general of BNP, told The Daily Star a copy of the application was also sent to the home secretary through fax.
He added a medical report on Koko has recently been submitted to the authorities concerned which was signed on August 7 and 8.
"Koko is seriously sick. He even could not walk without others' support. He has to have 47 injections a day. Considering this situation we requested the ministry to extend his parole," he said.
Addressing a discussion organised by Shikkhok Karmachari Oikya Jote at Jatiya Press Club, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the parole cancellation a politically motivated decision.
Koko, the youngest son of the BNP chairperson, faces a number of corruption charges and was arrested during the previous caretaker rule.
He was later released on parole and left for Bangkok on July 19, 2008 for better treatment as he was suffering from respiratory problems.
His elder brother Tarique, who was also arrested on charge of corruption during the caretaker rule and later released on bail, is now receiving treatment in London.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, BNP's associated student body, will stage a countrywide demonstration today protesting against the government decision to cancel the parole.
Related:
| 30682 | Koko Matters: Tip of the iceberg - US Department of Justice filed fo Koko Matters: Tip of the iceberg - US Department of Justice filed fo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/khabor/message/30682
| syed_aslam3  |
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/January/09-crm-020.html
February 2010. - FCPA News and Insights
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
by L Enforcement - 2010 - Related articles
a decisive role in the investigation and prosecution of siemens ag, .... according to ms. grynberg's complaint, Us$90 million in illegal .... worth nearly Us$3 million that are alleged to be the proceeds of a ... action related primarily to alleged bribes paid to arafat "Koko" Rahman, the son of the former prime ...
www.arnoldporter.com/.../FCPA_newsletter_February_2010_FINAL.pdf
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www.arnoldporter.com/.../FCPA_newsletter_February_2010_FINAL.pdf
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Enforcement Trends in 2010 and ...
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... purportedly contained $3 million in pro- ceeds from bribes paid to arafat "Koko" rahman, son of the .... Siemens to disgorge $350 million in profits, in addition to the ..... approximately $3 Million in Illegal Proceeds from Foreign ...
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... purportedly contained $3 million in pro- ceeds from bribes paid to arafat "Koko" rahman, son of the .... Siemens to disgorge $350 million in profits, in addition to the ..... approximately $3 Million in Illegal Proceeds from Foreign ...
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mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=76 - Cached
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| The BNP chairperson's youngest son, Arafat Rahman.— New Age photo [ File Photo] |
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