Bangladesh

Bangladesh's ex-military dictator cleared of graft charge

Hussein Muhammad ErshadDhaka - A Dhaka court Monday acquitted Bangladesh's former military dictator Hussein Muhammad Ershad of graft charges brought more than 16 years ago involving a shady deal in setting up digital telephone networks in rural areas.

Divisional Court Special Judge Md Golam Mortuza announced the verdict clearing the former president and three of his co-accused of corruption charges, court officials said.

"Finally, I got justice after so many years," an apparently happy Ersahd, who had earlier served a prison term in other corruption cases, told newsmen after the verdict was pronounced.

Danish minister to visit Bangladesh's climate-vulnerable areas

Danish Minister Connie HedegaardDhaka  - The Danish minister for Climate and Energy will take a tour to Bangladesh costal districts Tuesday to see climate vulnerability of the South Asian country, officials said Sunday.

The Danish minister, Connie Hedegaard, is scheduled to be in Dhaka on a two-day official visit beginning on Monday.

She will discuss with her Bangladesh counterpart Mustafizur Rahman about Dhaka's preparedness for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen, where world leaders will meet to agree on a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol in December.

Bangladesh Islamic meeting ends with call for peace

BangladeshDhaka  - A three-day annual Islamic congregation concluded Sunday in Bangladesh with more than 3 million people praying for global peace and prosperity, officials said.

An Islamic scholar from India led the concluding prayer at Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering after the hajj, in Tongi, some 35 kilometres north of the capital Dhaka.

On the final day, the crowd exceeded the boundaries of the 5-square kilometre venue as tens of thousands of people travelled overnight on overcrowded buses and trains from across the country to join the concluding prayer.

US welcomes Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war criminals

Bangladesh MapDhaka - The US government Saturday welcomed a Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war crimes committed during its 1971 liberation war.

"The trials of war criminals are being held in different countries and Bangladesh has to decide on the matter after taking experiences from those countries," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said, two days after the Bangladesh parliament adopted a resolution seeking trial of the war criminals.

Moriarty said it was an internal matter for the government and the people of Bangladesh to decide.

US welcomes Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war criminals

Dhaka, BangladeshDhaka- The US government Saturday welcomed a Bangladesh proposal to prosecute war crimes committed during its 1971 liberation war.

"The trials of war criminals are being held in different countries and Bangladesh has to decide on the matter after taking experiences from those countries," US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty said, two days after the Bangladesh parliament adopted a resolution seeking trial of the war criminals.

Moriarty said it was an internal matter for the government and the people of Bangladesh to decide.

Bangladesh beefs up security as millions attend Islamic meeting

Bangladesh beefs up security as millions attend Islamic meeting Dhaka - Authorities in Bangladesh beefed up security as more than 2 million people from home and abroad gathered for an annual Islamic festival near the capital, officials said Saturday.

A senior policeman said as many as 11,000 officers were deployed in and around the Biswa Ijtema, the second-largest Muslim gathering after the hajj.

Internationally acclaimed Muslim leaders have been delivering sermons since the three-day meeting began Friday at a site covering 5 square kilometres in Tongi, 35 kilometres north of Dhaka.

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