Bangladesh jails businessman for corruption

DHAKA, June 7 (Reuters) A special anti-corruption court in Bangladesh sentenced the owner of a television channel to three years in prison today for failing to submit a statement of wealth detailing the source of his funds, a court official said.

Giasuddin Al Mamun, managing director of ''Channel 1'' television, was a close associate of Tareque Rahman, the elder son of most recent prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is also under detention.

Bangladesh's army-backed interim administration has launched a crackdown on corruption, detaining more than 170 political figures including several former ministers, in a campaign to cleanse politics ahead of elections next year.

Police said Mamun was arrested in March for possessing illegal fire-arms, found during a raid on his home in Dhaka's posh Gulshan area.

Later, Mamun and Tareque were named as co-accused in a case involving the alleged extortion of 10 million taka (5,000) from a businessman.

A court official said the sentence was passed after Mamun failed to comply with the order of the Anti-Corruption Commission to submit a wealth statement.

The interim government, which cancelled election scheduled for Jan. 22, has said it plans to complete the campaign against corrupt politicians before elections around the end of 2008.

REUTERS PJ KP1315