Bangladesh releases ex-PM Khaleda Zia on bail

Dhaka, Sep 11 (UNI) Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was released today on bail after one-year imprisonment.

She ruled the country twice as Prime Minister since 1991.

Ms Zia was arrested in September last in connection with a graft case by the current military-backed caretaker government.

Last week, the High Court granted her bail in two scam cases clearing all legal bars to her freedom.

Ms Zia was detained in a makeshift jail in parliament building complex.

The jail authorities released her here at 1135 hrs (local time).

After being released, she went to the grave of her husband slain president Gen (retd) Ziaur Rahman to offer prayers.

Earlier, former prime ministers's two sons--Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman-- arrested in connections with several scam cases were also freed on health grounds.

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