Staff Reporter :
The government on Tuesday decided to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for six months on humanitarian grounds and considering her age, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said.
The government suspended her conviction orders for six months as per Section 401 of Criminal Code of Procedure.
However, Khaleda Zia, the former prime minister, has to stay home in Dhaka and receive her treatment there, the Minister said this at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence in the city.
Khaleda Zia, now 74-year old, has been receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the capital since April 1, 2019. She has been suffering from various old-age complications. She would not be allowed to leave the country, he added.
Replying to a question, Anisul Huq said, a recommendation has been sent to Home Ministry to release Khaleda Zia and it (Home Ministry) will take decision about the timing of her release.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday said they will start the procedure of releasing Khaleda Zia after the Prime Minister’s approval.
“The Law Minister made his statement in consultation with the Prime Minister… Our procedure will start after her [PM’s] approval,” the Home Minister said
Asaduzzaman made the comments minutes after Law Minister Anisul Huq at a press briefing said the government decided to release Khaleda Zia suspending her jail sentence for six months considering her age.
Home Ministry’s Security Service Division Secretary Md Shahiduzzaman said that Khaleda Zia may be free from custody most probably today (Wednesday) after final approval of the Prime Minister.
Mahbubul Islam, Jailer of Dhaka Central Jail, said, “We saw it on television. We will take steps once we get the order.”
Currently, Khaleda Zia is taking treatment under prison custody at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Shamim Iskander, younger brother of Khaleda Zia, thanked the government for its decision of releasing her.
“We are very happy. We got to know about the decision on TV [of her release],” he said on Tuesday.
Shamim said that her (Khaleda) family members had requested the government on March 7 to let them meet with Khaleda Zia.
“We are now contacting the lawyers and party senior leaders to discuss our next steps,” he said.
The BNP Chief landed in jail after being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by a special court on February 8, 2017.
On October 30, 2018, the High Court enhanced her punishment to 10 years in the case after dismissing her appeal.
Earlier on October 29, 2018, Khaleda Zia was also convicted in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case and sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by another special court in her absence.
