Dhaka: Bangladesh's military-backed government ordered the release of ailing former Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina on Wednesday after nearly a year of detention on corruption charges.
The head of the interim government, Fakhruddin Ahmed, signed the order days after a special court exempted Hasina from appearing in person during her corruption trial for medical reasons, the United News of Bangladesh news agency said.
Hasina will be released for eight weeks so she can obtain "better medical treatment abroad," prison chief Zakir Hasan told reporters.
She was expected to be freed later on Wednesday, Hasan said after meeting with senior Home Ministry officials.
Hasina's lawyers say she has been suffering from ear and eye problems.
Hasina has been held in a special jail set up on Parliament's premises since July last year. Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, faces at least four graft cases, including charges of extorting money from businessmen in exchange for business contracts.
She has rejected the charges as politically motivated.
Hasina has been hospitalised several times since her detention and has been advised to go overseas for treatment not available in impoverished Bangladesh.
An interim government has been running Bangladesh since January 2007, after the president canceled scheduled elections and declared a state of emergency following deadly street protests.
The government has cracked down on crime and corruption, arresting several top officials and politicians, including Hasina and her archrival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Subject: Bangladesh courts clear ex-PM Hasina to go abroad 
Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:27 pm
