Khaleda Zia’s sister Selima Islam has urged the government to release the BNP chairperson on humanitarian ground as her physical condition has been deteriorating.
“Her (Khaleda’s) health condition remains unchanged. She is having difficulty in breathing due to her respiratory problem. Her left hand has fully crooked while the right one is also getting twisted,” she said while talking to reporters after meeting her sister at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Saturday.
She said the BNP chairperson was also unable to stand up straight as she is suffering from acute back pain, reports UNB.
Five of Khaleda's family members, including Selima, her younger brother Shamim Eskandar, his wife Kaniz Fatema and son Ovik Eskandar and Selima’s daughter Samiya Eskandar, went to meet Khaleda around 3pm.
They stayed there for about one hour and 15 minutes, said Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP chairperson's media wing.
“Her physical condition is very bad. She should be released on humanitarian grounds. The way her condition has deteriorated, we are worried whether we would be able to take her [home] alive,” Selima said.
She also said Khaleda was unable to eat anything properly due to vomiting problem.
“Under the circumstances, we want the government to free her at least considering the humanitarian aspect,” she reiterated.
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.
