The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League leader and former health minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was released on bail from BSMMU Hospital yesterday.

Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui said, "We removed prison guards from his cabin around midday."

After the withdrawal of guards at noon, Selim claimed that he was innocent of all charges against him.

He demanded that all detained AL leaders and activists, including his cousin and party president Sheikh Hasina, should be freed uncoditionally.

He also demanded lifting of the state of emergency.

AL leaders and activists garlanded the AL presidium member as he stepped out of his cell. Supporters had thronged the BSMMU compound and the adjacent areas from the morning, as they came to know of Selim's impending release.

Selim claimed that all the cases filed against him were "baseless," and added, "I'll be able to prove myself innocent if the trials are held properly under the current legal system."

After leaving the BSMMU, he went to offer flowers at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi and then to his Banani residence.

Sheikh Selim was released after securing bail in two cases-one involving charge of extortion and an ACC case on charge of amassing illegal wealth.

The extortion case filed by Azam J Chowdhury names Sheikh Hasina and sister Sheikh Rehana as co-accused.

The ACC filed the graft case against him on April 23. He was arrested from his Banani residence on May 29 last year.