Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia detained

Dhaka, Sep 3: Bangladesh security forces detained the country's most recent prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, today, witnesses and officials said.

She was detained at her home within the city army barrack's compound and was being taken to a Dhaka court, they said.

Hundreds of army-led security forces had surrounded Khaleda's home since Sunday midnight and she was picked up about 7: 30 am (local time).

The move came after police said they recorded a corruption case against Khaleda, her younger son Arafat Rahman and 11 others late yesterday. Police gave no immediate details on the case.

Khaleda's elder son and political heir Tareque Rahman was detained in March by security forces as part of an anti-corruption drive launched by the country's army-backed interim government which took charge in January.

More than 170 other senior political figures have also been detained.

Reuters>