The government will take a decision on waiving sentences and relaxing the bail conditions of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia based on the opinion of the Law Ministry, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said, “Her (Khaleda’s) brother Shamim Iskandar submitted an application yesterday (Tuesday). They sought relaxation of conditions as she could not receive treatment during the corona period. They also talked about waiving her sentences.”
The minister said they will now send the application to the Law Ministry for scrutiny. “Once we get the opinion from the Law Ministry, we’ll take a decision on it through discussions with the authorities concerned.”
Describing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Mother of Humanity, Asaduzzaman said she extends cooperation when she sees anyone under such a situation.
He said the Prime Minister earlier made an arrangement for Khaleda Zia so that she can receive treatment staying at her home on conditions.
Replying to a question, the ministers said Khaleda’s family mentioned in the application about taking her abroad for treatment, but she is still in jail. “She has been staying at her home which is now like a jail.”
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The High Court later doubled her five-year jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
On August 27, the government extended her release for six more months.
