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Former Bangladeshi PM is released Former Bangladeshi PM is released
(about 9 hours later)
Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia has been released from prison after spending a year there on corruption charges.Former Bangladeshi prime minister Khaleda Zia has been released from prison after spending a year there on corruption charges.
Earlier this week, the High Court in Bangladesh granted bail to Ms Zia.Earlier this week, the High Court in Bangladesh granted bail to Ms Zia.
The former PM is facing at least four charges of corruption following her arrest in September 2007 by the army-backed interim government.The former PM is facing at least four charges of corruption following her arrest in September 2007 by the army-backed interim government.
She denies the charges. Last week, her son Tarique Rahman, who is also facing corruption allegations, was given bail.She denies the charges. Last week, her son Tarique Rahman, who is also facing corruption allegations, was given bail.
Ms Zia's lawyer Ahmed Azam Khan said the former prime minister was released around 1130 local time (0530 GMT). A tearful Ms Zia said soon after her release that her party would contest elections to restore democracy in the country, which is currently being run by a military-backed caretaker government.
Several thousand supporters gathered outside the court to greet Ms Zia, reports said. "If there is a free and fair election, the BNP [Bangladesh Nationalist Party] will come to power with the mandate of the common people," she told reporters.
Ms Zia's arch rival, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was granted bail in June to travel to the United States for treatment of ear and eye complaints. "The BNP is a democracy-orientated party so, for the sake of democracy, we will join in the dialogue to plan for elections."
Analysts say her release is part of a deal with the government by which the BNP will participate in elections.
Several thousand supporters greeted Ms Zia on her release.
Her arch rival, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was granted bail in June to travel to the United States for treatment of ear and eye complaints.
AccusedAccused
Ms Zia maintains that she will not go abroad for medical help, preferring instead to receive treatment in Bangladesh. The two ex-premiers and about 170 other key politicians, mostly from the BNP and Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, were detained in a huge anti-corruption drive after the interim government assumed power in January 2007 following months of political violence.
Some politicians in Bangladesh are accused of acquiring luxury properties.
The two ex-premiers and about 170 other key politicians, mostly from Ms Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party, were detained in a huge anti-corruption drive after the army-backed interim government assumed power in January 2007 following months of political violence.
Over the past eight weeks more than 50 have been freed on bail while many others have applied to be released, officials said.Over the past eight weeks more than 50 have been freed on bail while many others have applied to be released, officials said.
Analysts say that the releases are part of an effort to ensure that all the main parties, notably the BNP and Awami League, contest the elections. They are accused of a variety of crimes, including illegally acquiring luxury properties.
Both parties - which alternated in power over 15 years up to 2006 - have threatened to boycott the elections, a development which diplomats say would seriously detract from the credibility of the vote. Both the BNP and the Awami League - which alternated in power over 15 years up to 2006 - have threatened to boycott the elections, a development which diplomats say would seriously detract from the credibility of the vote.
The interim government led by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed has vowed to stage free and fair elections once the nation's political parties have been cleansed of endemic corruption.The interim government led by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed has vowed to stage free and fair elections once the nation's political parties have been cleansed of endemic corruption.