A court in Bangladesh has sentenced Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to six months in jail for violating the country’s labour laws.
Prof Yunus’ supporters say the case is politically motivated.
The acclaimed economist and three colleagues from Grameen Telecom – one of the firms he founded – were found guilty of failing to create a welfare fund for their workers.
All four deny any wrongdoing and have been granted bail pending appeals.
“As my lawyers have convincingly argued in court, this verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic,” Prof Yunus said in a statement released after the verdict.
“I call for the Bangladeshi people to speak in one voice against injustice and in favour of democracy and human rights for each and every one of our citizens.”
The 83-year-old Yunus, known internationally as the “banker to the poor”, is credited with establishing a pioneering system of micro-finance loans helping to lift millions out of poverty.
Prof Yunus and his Grameen Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their pioneering work in 2006.
Prof Yunus’s lawyers say he is facing more than 100 other charges over labour law violations and alleged graft.
Prime Minister Hasina Sheikh once described Prof Yunus as a “bloodsucker” of the poor and accused Grameen Bank of charging exorbitant interest rates.
