Cell punishment for former Prime Minister Bangladesh

A court in Bangladesh sentenced opposition leader Khaleda Zia to five years in prison.

The judge said he had taken into account the 'health and social status' of the 72-year-old politician. Her son Tarique Rahman, vice-president of opposition party BNP, and four other suspects have been sentenced to prison terms of ten years.

Zia is a political opponent of Prime Minister Hasina. A senior BNP official called the lawsuit 'an attempt to eliminate a rival. 'Supporters of the opposition party clashed in the capital Dhaka before ruling with the police. Agents used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Minister Asaduzzaman Khan (Home Affairs) announced after the verdict that Zia is being transferred to a prison. According to the lawyers of the former prime minister, she goes into appeal. She can probably wait in freedom according to the lawyers.