FROM CENTRAL JAIL GATE: BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was sentenced to five years jail in graft case on Thursday, has been given facilities of first class division in Dhaka Central jail as per jail code. 

Inspector General of Prison Brigadier General Syed Iftekharuddin confirmed the matter to reporters on Sunday evening (February 11).

He said Khaleda Zia, as a former Prime Minister of the country, has given division facility as per court order. 

Earlier on Thursday (Feb 8), a special court on Dhaka sentenced five years imprisonment to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 years to others accused in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

After the verdict was pronounced, Khaleda Zia was taken to the Central Jail in Old Dhaka. 
On Friday, Khaleda’s relatives met with her in jail.

On Saturday, Khaleda’s lawyers met with her. After the meeting, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed told journalists that she was not facilitated with division and being kept as a general prisoner. The jail authority also did not permit her housemaid Fatema to stay with her in prison.

Inspector General of Prison Brigadier General Syed Iftekharuddin also confirmed that Khaleda is being kept in jail as a general prisoner. 

On Sunday noon, a Dhaka court on Sunday (February 11) directed the prison authorities to provide first class division as per the jail code. 

The jail authority implemented the court order in the evening.

BDST: 1950 HRS, FEB 11, 2018
AP/SMS