Govt Decides to Release Khaleda

The government agreed today to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on humanitarian grounds for six months, also despite her status, Law Minister Anisul Huq said.

The government suspended her punishment according to section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure, he told reporters at a press briefing at his residence in Gulshan.

Yet Khaleda, the former prime minister of the country, has to remain home in Dhaka and get her treatment here, the minister said.

She wouldn't be allowed to leave the country, he added.

Responding to a request, Anisul Huq said the Ministry of Home Ministry should make a statement on the timing of her release.

The BNP leader was sentenced to five years in jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case by a special court on 8 February 2017.

On October 30, 2018, the HC enhanced her punishment to 10 years in the case after dismissing her appeal.

On 29 October 2018, Khaleda Zia was convicted of corruption in the Zia Charitable Trust case and sentenced by another special court in her absence to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.

She is currently under treatment at BSMMU.