The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification extending the suspension of sentence of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by another 6 months.

Notification in this regard was issued on Wednesday (March 27) at noon. It is reported that his sentence will be suspended from March 25.

Apart from this, it is said in the notification that Khaleda Zia will have to receive medical care from her home. He cannot go abroad for treatment.

Earlier on Wednesday (March 20), Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque told reporters at the secretariat that Khaleda Zia's sentence has been suspended and her release period is being extended by another 6 months.

Notification of extension of suspension of Khaleda Zia's sentence

Khaleda Zia's family's request to extend the release period

He said that the Ministry of Law has given an opinion on extending the release period for another 6 months in this application. It is being sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs with its opinion.

The law minister also said that an opinion has been given to extend the period of his release by another 6 months under the previous conditions (cannot go abroad and have to receive treatment in the country).

It should be noted that Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in prison on February 8, 2018 in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case by Dhaka's Special Court No. 5 established at Bakshibazar Alia Madrasa Ground. Then on October 30 of the same year, the High Court increased his sentence by another five years to 10 years on appeal in this case.

On October 29 of the same year, the same court sentenced Khaleda Zia to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case. In addition to seven years imprisonment, Khaleda Zia was fined Tk 10 lakh.

When the corona epidemic started in March 2020, the government released the imprisoned Khaleda Zia conditionally for six months by suspending the sentence in view of the family's request. Since then, his release period is being extended by 6 months. It is being extended eight times.