Bangladesh ex-PM says donations, not extortion

DHAKA, June 16 (Reuters) Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, barred from going abroad because she faces charges of extortion, was quoted as saying today that she never took money from anyone for herself, although her party accepted donations.

''I have never extorted any money from anybody, but of course some people give donations to the Awami League,'' an Awami leader who asked not to be identified quoted Hasina as telling senior party leaders.

''In Bangladesh parties are funded through donations,'' Hasina reportedly said, replying to critics who want corrupt politicians including herself purged as part of reforming political parties.

More than 170 senior leaders of the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by the most recent prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, have been detained in a crackdown on corruption that began in January, when an army-backed interim government took charge following deadly political violence.

They include Khaleda's elder son and political heir Tareque Rahman and over a dozen former ministers from BNP and the Awami League.

Hasina had planned to leave Dhaka yesterday night for the United States to see her son, daughter and their families.

But a court on Thursday ordered immigration officials and police not to allow her to go, saying her presence in the country was needed for investigation of extortion charges against her.

Hasina cancelled the trip only hours before the scheduled departure time, her colleagues told reporters.

On Wednesday police filed two cases against Hasina for alleged extortion of 80 million taka (1.16 million dollar) from two businessmen.

Police were also investigating a case filed against her in April for extorting 30 million taka (436,000 dollar) from another usinessman.

Hasina denies the charges. Talking to reporters yesterday, she also said the cases against her were part of an attempt to keep her from contesting the next election.

The interim government -- which imposed a state of emergency, cancelled an election planned for January 22 and banned all political activity -- has said it will hold the polls before the end of next year.

It also vowed to rid politics of widespread corruption and implement reforms to make the election free and fair.

REUTERS HK PM1549