The defence yesterday completed its closing arguments in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case seeking acquittal of BNP chief Khaleda Zia on the ground that her involvement was not proved. Barrister Moudud Ahmed completed the arguments on Khaleda’s behalf during yesterday’s proceedings. In his closing argument, Moudud said, “We seek unconditional acquittal order from the court for Khaleda Zia as the prosecution failed to prove any involvement of the BNP chief in the case. We could not operate the case freely. It was a coercive trial… not a trial at all. It was filed only to harass the BNP chairperson.”

“We hope you (the court) will consider everything and come to decide to let off my client (Khaleda) with respect and honour,” Moudud told the court.

If the court sends the BNP chief to jail in connection with the case, her popularity will increase and she will become be the next prime minister of the country, Moudud said.

Referring to Nelson Mandela’s jail period, senior lawyer Moudud said Mandela’s popularity increased after he was sent to jail.

“If the court sends the BNP chief to jail in connection with  a politically motivated case, her popularity would increase

and she would be next prime minister of the country,” Moudud said.

Moudud also said that the prosecution has failed to prove any allegations brought against the BNP chief in the case as she was not involved in any misdeed.

Hence, he said, the court should acquit the BNP chairperson of the charges in the case considering her honour and dignity. The government had filed the case only to tarnish Khaleda Zia’s image and harass her politically, he added.

After the hearing, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Court-5 in Dhaka adjourned the court till today (Wednesday) after dismissing a non-appearance petition of Khaleda for today and tomorrow.

Anti Corruption Commission, on July 3, 2008, filed the graft case with Ramna Police Station in the capital accusing Khaleda, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, former lawmaker Quazi Salimul Haq Kamal, businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed, former bureaucrat Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s nephew Mominur Rahman of embezzling over Tk 21 million brought from abroad for orphans.

The court is likely to hold closing arguments from the counsel of businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed today (Wednesday).

A total of five lawyers, including Moudud Ahmed, Jamir Uddin Sircar, Abdur Rezak Khan, placed their closing arguments on behalf of the BNP chief in connection with the case.