President Orders Release of Jailed Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia as Rival Fled Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the immediate release of former Prime Minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, following the resignation and flight of her archrival, Sheikh Hasina.
The decision was made during a meeting led by President Shahabuddin, attended by top military and opposition leaders, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami party members.
Zia, who has been in poor health and hospitalized, was sentenced to prison in 2018 for corruption allegations. Her release was part of a broader decision to free all individuals arrested during recent protests.
The protests, initially sparked by a government job quota issue, escalated into calls for Hasina’s resignation and resulted in numerous deaths and arrests. The military has pledged to investigate the casualties and form an interim government.
Despite the challenges ahead, there is hope for a peaceful transition and accountability for human rights violations in Bangladesh.