BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been freed

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been freed. In a press release of Bangabhaban, it was said Khaleda Zia has been freed following a meeting of president Md Shahabuddin with chiefs of three armed forces, leaders of different political parties, representatives of civil society and leaders of Student Against Discrimination movement.

Besides, people who have been detained under different cases filed over the violence centering the quota reform movement and other cases from 1 July to 5 July, the press release said. The press release says already many of them have been released.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post and left the country in the face of massive protests from students and people of the country.  The process of forming an interim government started after that.

Later in the afternoon, President Md Shahbuddin met political leaders from different parties and representatives of civic society in presence of the chiefs of three armed forces. They decided to release Khaleda Zia immediately in the meeting. Besides, the decision to release all who were detained over the quota reform movement was also taken in the meeting.

Khaleda was serving terms after being convicted in two cases. She was imprisoned for more than two years. On 25 March 2020, the government released her on condition in an executive order. The Awami League government had been extending her release every six months.