Khaleda’s jail term suspension extended for 6 months
On Tuesday, on behalf of the BNP chairperson’s family, her brother Shamim Eskander applied to the home ministry
The law ministry has agreed to extend BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's parole for another six months, suspending her prison term in two cases over corruption.
Law minister Anisul Haque confirmed this to The Business Standard on Thursday and said the file was sent to the home ministry today with approval.
Previously, the law ministry had given an opinion to extend the parole on condition of not participating in any political programme and not going abroad. All these conditions will be applicable this time also, he added.
He said this time the request of Khaleda's family to go abroad for treatment was not considered.
According to a source in the law ministry, the home ministry has requested the law ministry to comment on the request made by Khaleda's family.
The home ministry will send the opinion of the law ministry to the prime minister in the form of a "summary". A notification will be issued in this regard based on her opinion.
However, another source in the law ministry said the prime minister usually maintains the opinion given by the law ministry on these issues and issues a notification.
Former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who was convicted in two corruption cases, was temporarily released by the government in an executive order on March 25 amid the coronavirus epidemic.
She was released after her sentence was suspended for six months. The release period is ending on September 24.
On Tuesday, on behalf of the BNP chairperson's family, her brother Shamim Eskander applied to the home ministry. He called upon the government to take steps to release his ailing sister.
When Khaleda Zia was released for the first time, the home ministry considered the recommendation of the law ministry as per the rules and forwarded Shamim's application.
Khaleda Zia, 75, is currently living in her rented house in Gulshan. She is suffering from arthritis pain, diabetes, eye problems and other old-age problems.
On February 8, 2016, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in prison in a Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. She was later sentenced in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. There are 34 more cases against her.
A few days ago, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam said Khaleda Zia's sentence needed to be extended for better treatment.
