Khaleda reading books, news, her family say as she spends a month in jail

Khaleda Zia, the chief of one of the two main political parties in Bangladesh, has spent a month in jail.

She is passing the days reading books and news, her family say.

Her wait for bail lingers on with her lawyers moving the High Court 11 days after getting a certified copy of the verdict issued by a special court sentencing her to five years in prison on Feb 8.

The High Court is scheduled to decide on the petition on Sunday after getting related documents.

Her sister Selina Islam, brother Shamim Eskandar and his wife Farida Kaniz, who have visited the BNP chief in jail several times, told bdnews24.com she was reading books and newspapers most of the time, but not watching television.  

They said she was being provided with food by the jail authorities.

When any family member brings any food for her, the jail authorities let her have it after screening.

The 73-year-old has to take medicines regularly for problems in her heart, eyes and knee. She also has to follow a diet.

Her physicians have gone to the jail for her check-ups several times, but the prison authorities have barred them saying they would call the doctors if need be.

After visiting her on Wednesday, senior BNP leaders said their chief has remained mentally strong.

"She is tackling the hostile situation courageously. She is ready to make sacrifices for the country and democracy,” Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed said they had been concerned about Khaleda’s health.

“But it seemed yesterday that she is physically well and mentally very strong,” he said.

Khaleda is the second former head of government after HM Ershad to go to jail for corruption.

The BNP alleges the Zia Orphanage Trust graft charges are false and politically motivated.

After the special court in Bakshibazar issued the verdict on Feb 8, Khaleda was taken to the old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road. She is the lone prisoner in the jail as the authorities moved the inmates to the new central jail in Keraniganj two years ago.

She was kept at a room previously used by the jail superintendent and then moved to a room previously used as the daycare centre of the jail.

The BNP leaders had alleged she had not given the status of a special prisoner as a former prime minister.

The widow of president Ziaur Rahman later got the status. The authorities also went on to allow her house help to stay with her in a move termed ‘unprecedented’ by the Awami League.

As a special prisoner, she can read books and newspapers. There is also a TV in her room.

‘Feroza’ quiet

Khaleda’s house ‘Feroza’ in Gulshan has fallen quiet since she has been put in jail.

BNP leaders and her relatives are not going to the house, now occupied only by the security guards and house helps.

“The house is totally empty. We wait for her return every day,” one of the guards told bdnews24.com.

“Each day, we clean the house and water the flower plants she had planted,” he added.