Bangladeshi President Orders Release of Former PM Khaleda Zia Following Military Takeover

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the immediate release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, following the ousting of her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina, and a military takeover. The president’s press team confirmed the decision was made during a meeting led by Shahabuddin, which included top military officials and leaders of several opposition parties.

The military, led by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced the formation of a caretaker government, signaling a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid brutal unrest, which resulted in nearly 100 fatalities. The new interim government aims to restore stability following nationwide protests against Hasina’s administration since early July.

Khaleda Zia, 78, who has been in poor health and confined to a hospital since her 2018 graft conviction, is among those to be freed. The meeting also decided to release all individuals arrested during recent student protests, marking a potential turning point for Bangladesh’s political future.

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