Khaleda’s jail term: law ministry recommends extension of suspension for 6 months

The law ministry today recommended extending the suspension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's jail sentence for next six months.

"I have given my opinion on the application that sought a further extension of suspension of Khaleda Zia's jail sentence. In the opinion, the suspension of her jail sentence can be extended for six months on previous conditions. The government has no objection if Khaleda Zia receives specialised treatment inside the country," Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star.

He said the law ministry has sent the relevant file to the home ministry.

The home ministry had forwarded the application for extension of the suspension to the law ministry recently for its opinion.

"Now the home ministry will send the file to the prime minister's office for approval. After getting the decision from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the home ministry will take necessary measures," Law Minister Anisul Huq added.

The government on September 15 last year extended for six months its earlier order that suspended the jail sentence of Khaleda Zia and released her from jail. The home ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard on September 15.

The notification said Khaleda will receive treatment at home and she cannot go abroad during this period.

On March 4 this year, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters at the Secretariat that "Khaleda Zia's brother Shamim Iskandar filed the appeal on March 2 seeking extension on the stay of his sister's sentence where he also urged to waive her punishment".