Military intelligence quizzing Khaleda Zia's son

Dhaka, Mar 8 (UNI) Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's eldest son, Tarique Rahman, arrested late Wednesday night, was being interrogated by military intelligence.

Police sources said Tarique would be charged with corruption and abuse of power. He is now under custody of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite force comprising army personnel and police.

In a statement before his arrest from Khaleda Zia's Dhaka Cantonment residence, Tarique wanted to know why he was arrested by the army-led forces without any specific reason.

''I don't know why the joint forces are taking me to undisclosed place for interrogation.

''I want to know for whose interest I am being taken away in such a manner without any specific allegation and warrant of arrest.

I leave this question to the countrymen,'' he said.

Tarique is called by his critics ''prince'' for amassing huge wealth during her mother's five-year rule from October 2001 when Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) returned to power through a landslide victory.

He was considered by many as next Prime Minister of the country after Khaleda Zia, who ruled the country for more than 10 years in three terms since 1991.

Tarique, 40, soon assumed the post of senior joint secretary general of BNP and took the responsibility of reorganizing the party by inducting young followers of hir late father President Gen (retd) Ziaur Rahman and mother Khaleda Zia.

Although he was not MP or minister, Tarique enjoyed unlimited powers in running the affairs of the state from his office ''Hawa Bhaban'', termed ''alternative seat'' of power.

There were widespread allegations that without giving him 10 per cent commission, no business deal with local or foreign companies could be signed. His political opponents ridiculed him as ''Mr 10 per cent''.

In recent years, he became owner of textile industries, distillery, construction farms and shipping line.

Tarique's political opponents alleged that he had business with son of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and siphoned off millions of dollars to Malaysia and Thailand.

Controversial businessman Gias Al Mamun, also arrested by the army on charge of corruption, is a close friend of Tarique. Mamun owns private television channel ''R TV'' and a number of industries.

There are allegations that both Tarique and Mamun piled up millions of dollar by abusing powers.

UNI