Bangladesh to consider opposition leader's release

DHAKA, Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi government is considering an appeal by the family of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Khaleda Zia to release her from jail on health grounds.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal confirmed Monday at an event in the capital that his ministry had received the appeal from Zia’s family.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has forwarded it to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to get its legal opinion on it and the next course of action will be taken following this, Kamal added, saying the Home Ministry could not make a decision on it as it is a judicial matter.

Zia’s family wants to take her to London for advanced treatment as the former three-time prime minister has been facing serious health problems.

Zia, 73, is in year two of a 17-year term related to graft charges. Her party and lawyers, however, claim the cases are politically motivated.

She is the widow of assassinated former President Ziaur Rahman and is currently at a government hospital due to her ailing health.

The BNP has called for nationwide protests on March 11 to press for her immediate release.