International   

Dhaka to seize assets of corrupt politicians

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: The Bangladesh caretaker Government, which launched a massive crackdown to arrest top politicians on charges of crime and corruption, is likely to confiscate all their properties if the charges against them are proved.

The Government, backed by the country's armed forces, has detained 25 top politicians from both the immediate-past ruling Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the Awami League in a move "to purge politics of criminals and corruption."

The overwhelming majority of the detenus are former Ministers and ranking leaders of the former government led by Begum Khaleda Zia and quite a few are from Sheikh Hasina's Cabinet and party.

The leaders were detained under the Emergency Powers Act.

"We are thinking of confiscating the properties of those politicians who have become extremely wealthy by corrupt means... No one will be spared if his corruption is proved," the communications adviser, M.A. Matin, told reporters. Mr. Matin.

Another influential adviser, Mainul Hosein, in-charge of law and information, said the main thrust of the Government was aimed at purging politics of unabated corruption.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

U.S. hopes for progress as six-party talks resume
Hindu priest shot dead
Tensions within SLFP come to the fore
Dhaka to seize assets of corrupt politicians
Conciliatory move
Nepal stir suspended
Sworn in Governor
Gem of a man
India wants cooperative ties with China: Navy chief

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu