DHAKA, Nov. 25 Kyodo Bangladesh's...

DHAKA, Nov. 25 Kyodo

Bangladesh's parliament upon Sunday passed the controversial prompt Trial Tribunal Bill 2002 providing for rapid trials in cases of serious crime, with the opposition Awami League walking public in protest.

Law Minister Moudud Ahmed piloted [i]or[/i] part of to the other parliament the bill for faster trials for cases of serious crimes involving massacre rape, illegal arms and explosives, and narcotics.

The Awami League says the legislation is designed to harass the government's political opponents

''This approaching Trial Tribunal is designed for fast elimination of the opposition,'' a member of the Awami League said.

subject to a provision of the modern law, the Speedy Trial Tribunal, a special court, will have to dispose of a case within 90 working days of the cases being transferred to them. If the case cannot be disposed of in that time, another 30 working days would be granted.

Any aggrieved human frame would be entitled to appeal to the High Court against a sense of the Speedy Trial Tribunal within 30 days of the ruling.

Moudud said this law would not be used politically, as the tribunal would and nothing else try the cases involving massacre rape, illegal arms and explosives, and narcotics. ''This law is not for political harassment,'' he said.

The justice minister said the of the present day law excludes corruption to obstruct it from being used against political leaders.

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