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Bangladeshi ex-PM to be freed
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Global
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By Agencies
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![Zia has said the move to allow foreign travel could be a trap [File: EPA]](http://mwcnews.net/images/stories/Asia/A/B/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/Zia.jpg "Zia has said the move to allow foreign travel could be a trap [File: EPA]") | | Zia has said the move to allow foreign travel could be a trap [File: EPA] |
Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, has been cleared to travel abroad for medical treatment while on trial for corruption.
Bangladesh's emergency government said on Monday that they would release Hasina from detention to receive treatment for ear and eye infections.
Sharfuddin Khan Mukul, a government prosecutor, said: "The government has decided to give her an opportunity to go abroad for treatment. She will be released through an administrative order."
The two courts trying Hasina, the head of the Awami League, ruled that the hearings could continue in her absence, allowing her to leave the country.
Hasina asked on Sunday for permission to allow lawyers to appear on her behalf in court, after a government-appointed medical board suggested she should be sent abroad immediately for treatment.
"Trap" Hasina, who was prime minister from 1996-2001, is expected to travel to the US.
She was arrested in July by Bangladesh's new military-backed interim government and faces at least four graft charges.
Mukul said that Hasina could be released as early as Monday evening.
The government is attempting to ease tensions with the main political parties as they look to hold elections in December.
However, Begum Khaleda Zia, another former prime minister being also held on corruption charges, has accused the government of trying to set a trap by allowing the leaders to travel abroad.
The government could block Hasina or Zia's return were they to leave the county.
Zia said that she would not seek medical treatment abroad, despite a medical board saying that she should travel for treatment for arthritis and knee problems.
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Tags: Sheikh Hasina Wajed Bangladesh
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