DHAKA: The government cancelled the parole of ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and called him back home, as there are cases pending against him.

The Ministry of Home Affairs took the decision on grounds that he “broke the terms and conditions” of his release on parole, official sources said.

Koko and his elder Tarique Rahman were set free from jail at the fag-end of the past military-backed interim regime for their treatment abroad.

Koko is in Thailand while Tarique in England under treatment.

Under the number-5th condition of parole Koko was to inform the nearest Bangladesh mission about his health conditions and the status of his treatment. “But Koko frequently violated these conditions,” the government decision was quoted as saying.

Koko’s latest petition for extending the parole period was not granted by the government authorities.

The two brothers and their mother, Khaleda Zia, the present opposition leader, were among a large number of high-profile persons, including politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats, booked during a massive anti-graft drive following the 1/11 changeover in the country’s political arena.

BDST 1048 HRS, AUG 19, 2010