Bangladesh orders ex-PM Hasina's interim release

Dhaka, Jun 11: Bangladesh's caretaker government Chief Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has ordered interim release of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina for her medical treatment abroad. Ms Hasina's lawyer Barrister Fazle Nur Tapash told reporters that the Chief Adviser signed the executive order last night.

Mr Tapash said the former premier was likely to be released some time today as soon as a copy of the order would reach the jail authorities. Ms Hasina was arrested on July 16 last year in connection with an extortion case. She might fly for the US enroute to Canada tomorrow for her medical treatment. Ms Hasina, who was Prime Minister for five years from 1996, has been suffering acute problems in her eyes and ears. On Monday, special courts exempted her from attendance during trial proceedings in four corruption cases.

She suffered an acute hearing problem following grenade attacks on her public rally in Dhaka on August 21, 2004. Earlier, she received treatment of her ears in the US.

A medical board set up by the government recently advised her treatment abroad as her hearing aid became dysfunctional.

UNI