The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina left for London en route to the USA and Canada yesterday morning, a day after her release from prison amid some dramatic developments in the political arena.

Awami League senior leaders saw her off at Zia International Airport as a British Airways flight carrying her took off at 8:29 am, amid a tight security cover in and around the airport.

The airport authorities didn't allow print and electronic media to cover her departure on the overseas trip meant for her medical treatment and meeting her son and daughter.

Dr Hasan Mahmud, a close aide to Hasina, told reporters that the former Prime Minister would meet her younger sister Sheikh Rehana at Heathrow airport in London on way to Boston where she will meet her son Sajiv Wazed Joy.

She will then fly to Canada to see her daughter Saima Wazed Putul. She will fly back to Florida where she will see doctors for her damaged ears.

Hasina's ears were badly damaged under the impact of grenade attacks on her public rally in Dhaka on August 21, 2004. Her hearing aids became dysfunctional while in jail for 11 months.

Hasina was arrested on July 16 last year in connection with a corruption case during anti-corruption crackdown on politicians launched by the incumbent military-backed caretaker government following the January 11, 2007 changeover.

She was released from a makeshift jail in the parliament complex Wednesday for an interim period of eight weeks for her treatment abroad.

Last Monday, special courts exempted Hasina from personal attendance to courts during trial proceedings in four cases of extortion and corruption following applications from her lawyers on medical grounds.