DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – A court in Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia after she failed to appear in court for the fourth time in two corruption cases against her.
Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadder issued the warrant in the capital, Dhaka, after he refused a bail plea by the defense, which said Zia needed more time because she was sick and concerned about her security because of political unrest.
It was not clear immediately whether Zia would soon be arrested. The court order will go to the police station where the cases were registered.
“The next measures will be taken by authorities in line with law,” said state counsel Mosharraf Hossain Kajol.
The charges against Zia involve an alleged illegal fund used to buy land for a charity named after her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.