Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia claimed herself innocent while giving statement in self-defence before a special court in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

She also expressed the hope of getting justice in the case when Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar of Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-3 read out the testimony of the witnesses of the state side before Khaleda and sought her comments on the statements.

A total of 32 prosecution witnesses made their depositions before the court in the Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Earlier, Khaleda Zia appeared before the special court around 12:30 pm to attend the case proceedings. She also read out partial statements in self-defence before the court in the case.

The court fixed December 8 for hearing the rest part of her statements.

In the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, the lawyers of BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, cross-examined the plaintiff of the case, Harun-or-Rashid, deputy director of ACC in the case. The court fixed December 8 for the next hearing in the case.

On August 8, 2011, the ACC filed the Zia Charitable Trust graft case with Tejgaon Police Station accusing four people, including Khaleda, of raising funds for the trust from unknown sources abusing power.

ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, also an investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused on January 16, 2012.

The ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on July 3, 2008 with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk 21. 0 million (2.10 crore) that came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans.