BNP Chief Khaleda Zia’s counsel Md Sanaullah Mia has termed the Court’s verdict in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case as one-sided.

He made the comment to Bangla Tribune following announcement of the verdict which sentenced the BNP chairperson to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.

“These are all one-sided verdicts”, he said and added that senior lawyers of the former premier will decide on future steps regarding the case.

Mia also said, “It is a private trust. The money wasn’t meant for the government’s fund, therefore, the very case has no basis.”

“Today’s verdict came because of the government’s interference,” he alleged before adding that they aren’t willing to comment any further.

Earlier on Monday Judge Dr Akhtaruzzaman of the special court -5, established within the administrative building of the old central jail announced the verdict.

 Three others accused in the case— Harris Chowdhury, political secretary to the then PM Khaleda, Ziaul Islam Munna, assistant private secretary (APS) to Harris, and Monirul Islam Khan, APS to former Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka were also sentenced to seven years for their involvement in the Charitable Trust graft.

The court also slapped a fine of Tk 1 million to all four of the accused.

The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station in Aug, 2011.

A three-time premier Khaleda has been serving a five-year sentence since Feb 8 when she was convicted of embezzling foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust.