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Dhaka: A court in Dhaka on Tuesday acquitted former military dictator H.M. Ershad of a graft charge involving the controversial purchase of electronic news gathering (ENG) equipment during his nine-year rule until 1990.
Dhaka Divisional Judge Mohammad Golam Mortuza ordered the acquittal of the nearly 90-year old former president after a long trial process, saying none of the 21 witnesses could clearly say how much of the money of the national exchequer was misappropriated in buying the devices.
"I had to suffer massive tortures since I quit the power, thanks to Allah, now I have got the justice," Ershad told Gulf News by telephone.
"I hope I will be cleared soon of two more charges still pending with the court."
Handing down his verdict, the judge also noted that Ershad resigned from his presidential post one day after the installation of the ENG equipment and he did not get the opportunity to use it.
The former president earlier served six years in jail after his ousting in a mass upsurge in 1990 following a protracted pro-democracy campaign.
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