What was in Shazad Ali's confession?

United Traders Director Shazad Ali, whose name was dropped from the radar purchase graft case in 1995 upon prosecution’s petition, had given a confessional statement accusing Ershad and others. A lower court framed charges against Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud,  Air Vice- Marshal (retd) Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and the other United Traders director, AKM Musa, on August 12, 1995. That day the court said: “We heard application filed by prosecution of dropping Shazad from trial proceedings. The other accused have opposed the application.” It said that along with the petition of withdrawing him from the charges, the prosecution also submitted two letters from the prime minister’s office and then Anti Corruption Bureau which recommended the withdrawal of charges. Shahzad was arrested on July 7, 1992 and on the same day he gave confessional statement which was recorded by then magistrate ATKM Ismail. In the statement, he said the US radar manufacturing company Westinghouse Electric Corporation had appointed United Traders Ltd as the local agent. Musa had been acquainted with the company for many years. When Bangladesh Air Forces wanted to purchase a radar, Musa maintained the communication between the two parties. Shahzad claimed that Musa had informed him that Westinghouse had deposited a portion of the profit from the radar purchase to a Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) account in Hong Kong, belonging to HM Ershad. Musa also told Shahzad that then Air Force chief Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Sultan Mahmud and his deputy, Air Vice- Marshal (retd) Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed were also given a handsome amount by the two companies for the business. However, Shahzad could not say what the amounts were. For the installation of radar, there was a need for some parts from Motorolla Company, he said. “I was a local agent of Motorolla Company and I agreed to provide all necessary technical support. After importing the radar, my company helped install the Motorolla equipments. “To visit the American company Westinghouse for business, I received Tk6 lakh in airfare and other expenses from Musa,” the statement said.