Bangladesh minister is sentenced

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The special anti-corruption court of Bangladesh has handed down its first conviction and sentence to a former government minister.

The court was set up to try dozens of senior politicians on charges of corruption.

Amanullah Aman, state minister for labour and employment in the last government of Khaleda Zia, has been sent to jail for 13 years.

The massive drive against corruption was launched five months ago.

Extortion

At least another 60 former members of parliament, including a substantial number of ex-ministers, are now languishing in the country's prison system awaiting their turn.

If Amanullah Aman's sentence is a sign of things to come, they should be very worried indeed.

The former minister for labour and employment was found guilty of amassing wealth through illegal means. His lawyers say he will appeal against his sentence.

Mr Aman was ordered to pay a fine of more than $14,000 in addition to his prison sentence.

His wife has also been handed a three-year sentence for giving false information about their wealth.

Mr Aman was accused of extortion, illegal land acquisition and assisting businessmen to receive large government contracts.

The emergency government - backed by the military - came to power five months ago and has vowed to clean up politics before re-staging elections.