BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s sister Selima Islam has made a humanitarian call to the government for her release, so she may avail superior and further treatment.
“Her (Khaleda’s) physical condition is now very bad. She’s suffering from respiratory problems, and she’s almost unable to speak,” she said.
The BNP chief's sister was talking to reporters after meeting her sister at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Tuesday, reports UNB.
Selima further added: “I call upon the government to consider her ailment and her current physical condition, respiratory problems, and age. She should either be released or given bail on humanitarian grounds. We make this call to the government and demand her unconditional release.”
About Khaleda’s present condition, she said the BNP chief cannot stand for even five minutes without the help of others. “The distance from her bedroom to the washroom is very short, but it takes her around 20 minutes to get there. Her left hand is bent completely while the right one is also now getting bent.”
Selima also said her sister is unable to eat due to vomiting problems as she is suffering from fever and serious pains in her body, and her diabetic problem also remains beyond control.
Under the circumstances, she said the BNP chief urgently needs advanced treatment.
Khaleda’s sister also feared that anything bad can happen if the BNP chief is not immediately provided with advanced treatment now, as her condition has sharply deteriorated.
“We want her (Khaleda) to be released so that we can at least ensure advanced treatment for her. This is our only request (to the government),” an emotional Selima told journalists.
Asked whether they filed any formal application with the government in this regard, she replied in the negative.
“We’re making an appeal to the nation and the country’s people to pray for her early recovery, and make efforts for her release,” she added.
As her attention was drawn to the report on an application submitted by the BNP chief’s family to the BSMMU VC, Selima said they gave it demanding Khaleda’s release since she has been convicted in ‘false cases.’
Five of her family members, including Selima, her younger brother Shamim Eskandar’s wife Kaniz Fatema, and her son Ovik Eskandar, Tarique Rahman's sister-in-law Shahina Zaman Bindu, and Arafat Rahman Koko’s mother-in-law Mukrema Reza, went to meet Khaleda around 3:30pm and had an hour long meeting, said BNP chairperson’s media wing member, Shamsuddin Didar.
Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.
The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since April 1 last year.
