Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia sentenced to seven years in jail

Agencies
October 29, 2018

Dhaka, Oct 29: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Monday was sentenced to seven years in jail in a case involving a charity fund named after her late husband.

Judge Md Akhtaruzaman of a special court in Dhaka found her guilty of misuse of power as Prime Minister in collecting $375,000 for the Zia Charitable Trust Fund from unknown sources.

Ms Zia was absent in court as she is in hospital while serving a prison term of five years in a separate case.

In February, another court sentenced Ms Zia to five years in jail in a charity corruption case.

The judge also sentenced three others to seven years in jail each for collecting the money from undeclared sources.

Ms Zia’s party says the charges in both the cases are politically motivated.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times. 

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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