Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from house arrest. This decision came just a day after Sheikh Hasina, the outgoing Prime Minister, resigned and fled the country amidst violent protests against her government.
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Khaleda Zia, who is 78 years old, had been under house arrest since 2018 after being convicted of corruption and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Her health had been deteriorating during this time, which led to her house arrest instead of imprisonment. Zia is the leader of the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and has served as Prime Minister twice, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.
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The political landscape in Bangladesh has been turbulent, especially with the recent violent protests. Over 400 people have died in the unrest that began with opposition to the government's reservation policy, which many believed favored supporters of Hasina’s Awami League. The protests soon escalated into widespread violence, including arson, looting, and attacks on minority communities and their places of worship.
Hasina's resignation and flight marked a significant turning point. The president dissolved the parliament to pave the way for an interim government and new elections. The announcement of Zia’s release was seen as a crucial step towards calming the unrest and initiating a new phase in Bangladesh's political scenario.
International reactions to these events have been cautious. India, a neighboring country with significant interests in Bangladesh, has been closely monitoring the situation. Indian officials have stated that the crisis does not currently necessitate the evacuation of Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh, but they remain vigilant about the developments.
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Khaleda Zia's release is expected to influence the future political dynamics of Bangladesh. With her newfound freedom, there is anticipation about her role in the upcoming elections and how she might steer the BNP in this critical period. The coming days will likely see further developments as Bangladesh navigates through this political upheaval【6†source】【7†source】.
