BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today placed closing arguments in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sought acquittal claiming her involvement was not proved.

“We could not operate the case freely. It was a coercive trial… not a trial at all,” said Moudud Ahmed, a senior lawyer who placed the closing argument in favour of Khaleda.

“We hope you (the court) will consider everything and come to decide to let off my client (Khaleda) with respect and honour,” he said at the conclusion of his argument.

The closing argument of Khaleda was placed from 11:45am today until 1:30pm.

BNP Chief Khaleda Zia appears before the court on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Photo: Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary

The other accused will place their closing arguments after the court takes seat.

In July 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda, her son Tarique and four others of misappropriating over Tk 2.10 crore that had come as grants for orphans from a foreign bank.