Bangladesh court issues arrest warrant for ex-PM and opposition leader Khaleda Zia

Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Bangladesh court issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in two graft cases after she failed to appear in court for the fourth time. Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadder issued the decision in a makeshift court in the nation’s capital, Dhaka, after he refused a bail plea by the defense, which sought more time, saying Zia was sick and concerned over her security because of ongoing political unrest. [caption id=“attachment_648580” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Khaleda Zia in this file photo. Reuters[/caption] It was not clear immediately whether Zia will soon be arrested. The court order will go to a police station where the cases were registered. The charges involved an alleged illegal fund used to buy land for a charity named after Zia’s late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Zia’s lawyers have rejected allegations that Zia had illegally collected more than $1 million in donations for the charity. Zia says the charges are politically motivated, which authorities deny. Associated Press