Khaleda agrees to leave for exile: Arafat sent back to Cantonment residence

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has finally agreed to leave for exile.

She is expected to leave the country along with her family members, including her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko, for Saudi Arabia.

Koko, who was arrested earlier by the Army-led joint forces at early hours on Monday, was returned to his mother’s cantonment residence after midnight last night following an understanding between Khaleda Zia and officials of the concerned agencies of the government.

During her exile, Begum Zia along with her family members will live in Jeddah as the royal guests of the Saudi king.

Earlier, the government had contacted the Saudi authorities on the issue and requested to allow Khaleda Zia and her family members to live in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government subsequently expressed its willingness to accept Khaleda and her family members as the royal guests.

Khaleda’s younger brother Major (retd) Syeed Eskandar mediated the understanding between her and the government agencies.

As the news of Begum Zia and her family members’ possible departure from the country was revealed, dozens of journalists of local and international media rushed to the Zia International Airport (ZIA) last night.

A large number of law enforcers were deployed at the airport to facilitate the departure of Khaleda and her family members from the country safely.

There were two flights scheduled to depart the ZIA after midnight last night. One was Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG 086) destined for Malaysia via Singapore and the other was Malaysian Airlines flight destined for Kuala Lumpur.

Also, there was another flight of Kuwait Airways which was scheduled to leave ZIA at 6am today.

Begum Zia, also the chairperson of the BNP, agreed to leave Bangladesh against the backdrop of widespread corruption charges against her family members and leaders of her party.

Besides, the caretaker government’s drive against corruption and move to free politics from corrupt elements has contributed to her departure from the country.

Khaleda’s eldest son Tarique Rahman, now in prison, was arrested on extortion charge. The hearing of the case is scheduled to be held today.

Tarique had allegedly smuggled out millions of dollars of the country during his mother’s five-year rule abusing power.

His friend and business partner Giasuddin Al-Mamun, now in prison, in his confessional statements recently disclosed the stories of Tarique Rahman’s corruption and his bank accounts abroad.

Earlier, Major (retd) Syeed Eskandar met Begum Zia at her Cantonment residence yesterday afternoon and tried to make his sister agree to go abroad.

Begum Zia, who was earlier adamant not to leave the country, finally agreed to go into exile following the arrest of Koko.

It was reported that from prison Tarique Rahman, also the Senior Joint Secretary General of the BNP, earlier requested her mother to leave Bangladesh along with other members of their family.