The law ministry today gave its opinion for further extending the suspension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence for six more months.

“I have given my opinion on the application that sought a further extension of suspension of Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence. In the opinion, I said the suspension of her jail sentence can be extended for six months on previous conditions,” Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star.

Replying to another question, the minister said, “She would not be able to go abroad.”

“I have sent the relevant file with my opinion for extending the suspension of her jail sentence to the home ministry which will now issue a notification to this effect,” the law minister said.

Anisul Huq said the government released the BNP chief after suspending her jail sentence as per section 401 (1) of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC).

Khaleda was freed from jail on March 25, 2020 after the government suspended her jail sentence for six months.

She walked out of jail at a time when the world was hit by Covid-19 pandemic.

Khaleda landed in jail on February 8, 2017, after being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. On October 30 the following year, the High Court enhanced her punishment to 10 years after dismissing her appeal in the case.

The former prime minister was convicted by another special court in Dhaka in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on October 29, 2018. She was sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by the court.