BNP chief Khaleda may get 6-month extension to stay out of jail

The law ministry has recommended extending a freeze on the jail sentences of BNP chief Khaleda Zia by six months in two corruption cases.

A recommendation has been sent out to the home ministry, the law ministry said in a statement on Monday.

After attending a ceremony of the finance ministry on Monday, Law Minister Anisul Huq said: “The recommendation we’ve forwarded today is to suspend her sentence and extend her term for another six months just as before.”

The government-imposed two conditions remain in effect: Khaleda will not be able to travel abroad and must receive treatment at home. Anisul said the extension was recommended conditionally.

Responding to a question, the law minister said, “No hospital was specified. She has the freedom to choose which specialist she wants.”

The 76-year-old former prime minister had served 25 months out of 17 years of prison sentences in two graft cases, involving Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust, before she was released amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Khaleda's younger brother Shamim Eskander submitted an application to the authorities on Mar 2, seeking a freeze on the jail sentences of Khaleda and permission to let her go abroad for treatment, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.

The government suspended the sentences of Khaleda twice before for six months each on the condition of receiving treatment at home and not abroad.

The government freed her following the family’s petition on Mar 25 as the coronavirus pandemic spread across Bangladesh.