DHAKA, 15 JAN 

The Bangladesh Supreme Court has acquitted former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a corruption case, overturning a previous 10-year prison sentence handed down by the High Court. The ruling, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, 

was a result of Zia's appeal against the High Court's verdict.

The Supreme Court's decision also applies to Zia's son, Acting Chairman of the BNP Tarique Rahman, and several other accused in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, with the court stating that the prosecution appeared motivated by revenge.

 Zia, 79, had initially received five years of imprisonment in February 2018 for allegedly embezzling government funds; this was later increased to ten years by the High Court. Following years of legal delays, the Appellate Division accepted her leave-to-appeal in November 2024, temporarily staying the High Court's sentence. 

The final verdict was announced after the conclusion of hearings. Zia, who is currently in London for medical treatment, served as Bangladesh's Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006.