Decision on Khaleda's application for sentence suspension Tuesday

The decision on the application seeking BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's extension of release period, postponing her sentence, to take her abroad for treatment will be taken on Tuesday (March 19), said Law Minister Anisul Haque while talking to reporters in his office at the Secretariat on Monday (March 18).

Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Iskandar applied to the Home Ministry on March 6 to extend the release period. The application sought permission to take her abroad for treatment. Later, it was sent to the law ministry seeking opinion on the application.

“In this letter, they are seeking permanent release as before. I do not understand what permanent release means. Also, they are seeking permission to go abroad. The secretary gave me the file today. After considering what they (Khaleda's family) have applied for, I will settle it as soon as possible. It will be done by tomorrow (Tuesday), said the minister.

He said, “I must consider what can be done. However, there will be no change in the decision to take Khaleda Zia abroad.”

Journalists asked the law minister whether the prime minister can make a decision on the application of Khaleda Zia's family.

In reply, the law minister said the PM has settled the issue once. Nothing humane happens outside the law. The release period which is being extended repeatedly is also due to humanitarian reasons.

Khaleda Zia's suspended sentence has been extended eight times under the two conditions that she will receive treatment from her residence in Dhaka and that she will not be able to leave the country during this time. If extended this time, Khaleda Zia's release period will increase for the ninth time.

Khaleda Zia's sentence was last suspended on September 24 last year and the release period was extended by six months. That period will end on March 24.

Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia returned home from the hospital after staying one day on March 14, after some health tests at Evercare Hospital in the capital. Seventy-nine-year-old Khaleda Zia is suffering from various physical complications in addition to heart problems and liver cirrhosis. Besides, she has various complications including arthritis, diabetes, dental and eye problems. In the meantime, she was admitted to the hospital several times and received treatment.