Bangladesh: Nobel laureate economist Yunus sentenced to six months in prison in Bangladesh, found guilty of violating labor laws
Bangladesh’s Nobel laureate economist Dr Mohammad Yunus was on Monday sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of violating labor laws. He was accused of not creating a labor welfare fund in the Gramin Telecom Company.
Yunus’s supporters described the decision as politically motivated. The 83-year-old economist won the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his anti-poverty campaign. Justice Sheikh Marina Sultana of Labor Court III sentenced Grameen Telecom Chairman Yunus and three of his company officials to six months simple imprisonment after pleading guilty to violating the law.
Fine of 25 thousand taka on all the culprits
Justice Merina imposed a fine of 25 thousand taka (about 18 thousand rupees) on all the culprits including Yunus. If the fine is not paid, everyone will have to undergo 10 more days of imprisonment. Immediately after the verdict was announced, Yunus and his associates demanded bail.
Everyone got one month bail on bond
Justice Merina granted one month bail to everyone on a bond of five thousand taka (approximately Rs 3700). According to law, all four can appeal against the decision in the High Court. After a court hearing last month, Yunus rejected claims of making profits from any of the more than 50 social business firms he founded in Bangladesh, including Grameen Telecom.
