Extension of Khaleda Zia's release for a further six months

The government has added another six months to the suspension of BNP Chair Khaleda Zia's prison term.

The Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued circular in this regard on Sunday.

According to the circular, Khaleda Zia will have to take treatment staying at her residence in Dhaka and she will not be able to go abroad during the period.

Earlier, the six-month release period of Khaleda Zia was expired on March 24 last. On March 6, her younger brother submitted an application to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking extension of her release for the 7th time and allow her to go abroad for availing medical treatment.

On Thursday, a notification was issued regarding the extension of Khaleda Zia's release.The government released the BNP chief after suspending her jail sentence as per Section 401 (1) of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC).

Khaleda was freed from jail on March 25, 2020 after the government suspended her jail sentence for six months amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then the 76-year-old BNP chief has been staying at her Gulshan residence since her release from jail. A special team of physicians has been overseeing her treatment.

Khaleda landed in jail on February 8, 2017, after being sentenced to five years' imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

On October 30 the following year, the High Court enhanced her punishment to 10 years after dismissing her appeal in the case.

The former prime minister was convicted by another special court in Dhaka in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on October 29, 2018. She was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment by the court.