Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that party chief Begum Khaleda Zia is celebrating Eid in London with her family after eight years. He stated that she is doing well and is expected to return home in mid-April.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Begum Zia was taken to London on January 8 for advanced treatment. She had suffered from liver cirrhosis while in prison, allegedly due to inadequate medical care. Mirza Fakhrul expressed concerns that she had been subjected to slow poisoning in prison, citing the poor conditions she faced, including dampness and rats in her cell.
BNP Chairperson's personal physician, Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, reported that Khaleda Zia is staying at her eldest son Tarique Rahman's house, accompanied by her daughters-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Shamila Rahman, and granddaughters Barrister Zaima Rahman, Zafia Rahman, and Zahia Rahman. The family has arranged the Eid celebrations.
This marks Khaleda Zia's third Eid celebration in London. Her last celebration there was in 2017 when she had gone for treatment. Prior to that, she celebrated Eid with her family in London in September 2015. Prof Zahid confirmed that Khaleda Zia is currently in better health and has extended Eid greetings to the country and BNP members. Tarique Rahman also conveyed his greetings through the media.
On her arrival in London in January, Khaleda Zia was admitted to The London Clinic under the care of Professor John Patrick Kennedy for 17 days. A medical board decided she would continue her care under Professors Kennedy and Jennifer Cross at her son's residence. The former Prime Minister, aged 79, has been dealing with various health issues for some time.
In 2018, Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in a corruption case but was granted special release by the government during the pandemic. She spent four Eids in prison and the Bangladesh Medical University Hospital before her release following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. The court later overturned her convictions in the corruption cases.