The government will consider releasing BNP chief Khaleda Zia on parole if she files a petition citing specific reasons, says Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
“The government is yet to receive any request for parole, but will consider if Khaleda Zia files,” he told the media in Jamalpur on Saturday (Apr 6).
Parole is temporary or permanent release of a prisoner upon conditions before the expiry of a sentence.
A three times prime minister, Khaleda has been sentenced to as many as 17 years after she was found guilty of embezzling donations made to the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust.
The 72-year-old was serving her term at the old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road since Feb 8 last year until she was transferred to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on Apr 1 for treatment.
“No one is above the law,” Khan said. “Anyone who commits an offence has to face punishments.”