Bangladesh former Foreign Minister jailed for 13 years

Dhaka, Aug 4 (UNI) Bangladesh ex-Foreign Minister and business tycoon Morshed Khan was today sentenced to 13 years rigorous imprisonment for accumulating wealth illegally.

A special anti-graft court pronounced the judgment against Khan who is now outside the country. Judge Sirajul Islam also fined him 10 lakh Taka or serve one year more in prison in default.

The court in the high-security Parliament building complex, ordered confiscation of his ill-gotten property worth over Taka 82 lakh.

Morshed has business in banking, mobile phone and auto.

The court order said the sentences will come into effect after his arrest or surrender before the court.

Present caretaker government in Bangladesh, after coming to power in January last year, cracked down on corrupt politicians including country's two former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina, who is now in the US for treatment, was paroled for two months on June 11. Khaleda is still in a makeshift jail in Parliament building complex.

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