Khaleda must seek presidential clemency to go abroad for treatment: law minister

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has no alternative other than to confess her wrongdoings and seek clemency from the president to go abroad for treatment, said Law Minister Anisul Huq at the parliament today.

Pointing out to provisions of the law, the minister said that any convict, if required, has to be released through legal procedures. There is a way -- they can ask for forgiveness from the president or the government by admitting their guilt.

"BNP should not pull meaningless political stunts regarding Khaleda Zia's treatment," he said while replying to BNP MPs' allegations that the government was not allowing the former prime minister to go abroad for treatment due to political vengeance.

BNP MPs -- Harunur Rashid and Mosharraf Hossain -- today demanded that the government allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.

In his reply, Anisul said Khaleda's family had appealed for her release. "They said in the application that she needed to be taken abroad for treatment."

"But they did not mention any provisions of the law in the application. Still, we considered that appeal under Section 401 of the penal code and her sentences were suspended on two conditions: one -- she has to receive treatment at home and two -- she will receive treatment within the country, which her family members accepted," the minister added.

Pointing at the BNP leaders' repeated appeal to send Khaleda Zia abroad, the law minister said, "Once an application is disposed of, can it be reconsidered?"