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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. |
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. | |
"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. | |
"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. | |
Accused | Accused |
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. | |
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. |
They are accused of a variety of crimes, including illegally acquiring luxury properties. | |
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. |
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