During the past military-backed interim government, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in July 2009 filed a graft case against Zia, Rahman and four others for embezzling nearly USD 1 million by forming the “fake” trust.
Two years later, another case was filed against her and three others for abusing power in setting up the Zia Charitable Trust.
The two charities were named after Zia's assassinated husband president Ziaur Rahman.
The ACC alleged that the accused received money from United Saudi Commercial Bank in 1991 for the welfare of orphans but the Zia family “in connivance with other accused withdrew the money by issuing four cheques and embezzled the amount”.
The trial in the case will begin on April 21.
Zia and her two sons, currently staying abroad, are facing 20 graft cases.
Updated on: March 19, 2014 19:52 IST
