The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, was freed on bail yesterday through withdrawal of jail guards from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital after about 18 months in detention.

He, however, would remain in the hospital until being sent abroad for treatmen.

Jail guards were withdrawn from his cabin in the prison cell of BSMMU at about 4:30PM leaving Tarique Rahman, also the Senior Secretary General of BNP, free from detention as he got bail from all 13 cases filed against him after the 1/11 changeover.

The cases were filed on various charges, including extortion, tax evasion and on charges of graft.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its front organisations thronged the BSMMU to celebrate the freedom of their party's leader.

Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7 last year from their Cantonment residence by army-led joint forces during a drive against corruption.

The release of Tarique Rahman, suffering from spinal cord complications, came into reality after the High Court granted him bail in all 13 graft cases and later on the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order by rejecting Government and Anti-Corruption Commission's appeals for stay of the bail.

After receiving the last bail document yesterday afternoon, the Jail Authorities set him free from custody, but he remained under treatment in a different cabin of the hospital.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prisons Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told reporters that they were waiting to receive the last bail document to arrive. "After receiving the last bail document we have withdrawn the Jail guards from his cabin in the prison at 4:30PM and set him free," he said.

Tarique's physicians told reporters that he would remain under treatment before taking necessary measures to send him abroad for treatment.

Party sources said Tarique Rahman would be brought to their Cantonment residence within a day or two and he would meet his detained mother Begum Khaleda Zia before going abroad for treatment.

According to sources, Tarique might be sent to England or Germany for treatment.

Earlier, separate medical boards were formed for his health checkups and they have suggested sending him abroad for treatment.

Meanwhile, after his release Tarique's wife Dr Zobaida Rahman went to the BSMMU and spent some time with him.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain also met him at his cabin after his release and talked to him for a few minutes.

Delwar Hossain told reporters that Tarique Rahman expressed his gratitude to the people and sought their blessings.

Later on, the DIG Prisons visited the detained BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia to inform her about the release of her son.

Begum Zia expressed her satisfaction over the release of her son and directed her party followers to express gratitude to the Almighty Allah.

Tarique's younger bother Arafat Rahman Koko, who was also arrested on graft charges, was released on July 17 on health grounds. He is now undergoing treatment for his respiratory complications at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand.