The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agency

A Swedish municipality has given exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen a sanctuary grant that will allow her to work there for two years.

Lawmaker Cecilia Wikstrom said yesterday that the writer has been given a sanctuary grant in Uppsala, 43 miles (70km) north of Stockholm. The grant includes an apartment, financial assistance and the opportunity to work in Sweden for two years.

Nasreen left Bangladesh in 1994 after Islamic extremists threatened to kill her.

In March she travelled to Europe from India to seek medical assistance after fleeing violent protests by a Muslim group. The group accused her of insulting Islam in her writings.

Wikstrom says Nasreen is doing well and hopes to start working again soon.