DHAKA: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has appeared before a special court on Thursday (June 22) to place her self-defence statement in Zia Orphanage and Charitable Trust graft cases filed by the ACC.

Khaleda Zia has reached the Special Judge Court-5 in the capital's Bakshibazar around 11:35am. 

Earlier on June 15, Judge Md Akhtaruz-zaman of the same court fixed June 22 for hearing her self-defence statements in the two cases as her lawyer pleaded an early conclusion citing physical illness.

On August 8, 2011, the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, accusing abuse of power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources.

Besides, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.

BDST: 1255 HRS, JUNE 22, 2017
AP