Ousted Bangladesh President and Wife Arrested

Police and soldiers arrested ousted Bangladesh President Hussain Mohammed Ershad and his wife on Wednesday, and the government said he will face trial on charges ranging from gold smuggling to plundering money from the nation.

Police launched a manhunt for 13 former ministers in Ershad’s Cabinet after acting President Shahabuddin Ahmed ordered their arrests, officials said.

“The former president has been kept in safe custody,” Interior Ministry Secretary Azimuddin Ahmed said.

Ershad, who seized power in a 1982 military coup, was arrested with his wife, Roushan Ara, in Dhaka’s military garrison area where he had been living since his resignation last week.

The couple’s two adopted children--a son and a daughter--and Ershad’s mother-in-law were allowed to accompany them into detention at the former British high commissioner’s residence in the Gulshan diplomatic enclave, Ahmed said.

Officials said a special tribunal headed by a High Court judge will be set up to try Ershad on charges ranging from gold smuggling to nepotism and plundering money from the impoverished country.

As reports of the arrest spread, curious Dhaka residents lined roads to the army headquarters. But the fallen general had been whisked away hours earlier.

“I wish I could see the shame-faced dictator,” said one young man standing outside the garrison.

“The bird has changed cages,” said another.

The acting president ordered the arrest of 14 former Cabinet members, including former Interior Minister Mahmudul Hasan, who was placed under house arrest Tuesday.

“Others have been hiding but we have launched a manhunt to seize them,” a senior police officer said.

Ershad stepped down and transferred power to former Chief Justice Shahabuddin after a violent campaign by 22 opposition parties.