Khaleda Zia Is Free! Former Bangladesh PM Walks Out Of Jail After Nearly 6 Years

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who was serving a 17-year sentence in various corruption cases, has been freed from jail.

File photo of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Opposition leader Khaleda Zia has been freed from jail, a Bangladesh National Party spokesperson said. Begum Khaleda Zia's release comes barely a day after Bangladesh Awami League's Sheikh Hasina resigned from the PM's chair and left the country amid widespread violence against her party.

Khaleda Zia, the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, had been serving a 17-year sentence in various corruption cases since 2018. The order for the release of Khaleda Zia was issued by Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin just hours after, her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina fled the nation.

Soon after the release of Khaleda Zia Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament

Khaleda Zia first became the Prime Minister in 1991 and served in office till 1996. Her second stint as the PM of Bangladesh came in 2001 and lasted till 2006.

What Is Happening In Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is staring at one of the deadliest protests in its history, with over 400 people killed in violent protests against the Sheikh Hasina government. The protests continue even after the ouster of the Prime Minister from office and her exit from the nation.

While the violence began with protests against the reservation policy that was alleged to benefit only Awami League supporters, Bangladesh is now witnessing widespread arson and vandalism. Amid the chaos, the Hindu minority in Bangladesh is also being targeted, with several temples being vandalised.

Several banks were looted amid the violence. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister's office in Dhaka was also ransacked and several important files were 'stolen'.

India's Stance On Bangladesh Crisis

The Government of India has said that it is closely monitoring the continuously developing situation. EAM Jaishankar said that the situation is not so dire as to warrant the immediate evacuation of Indians in Bangladesh. "An estimated 19,000 Indian nationals are in Bangladesh at present, including 9,000 students. The bulk of students back in India in July," Jaishankar said in Parliament on Tuesday.