Sheikh Hasina flees, President orders release of ex PM Khaleda Zia

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday ordered the release of jailed former prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia, hours after her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power.

He came up with the announcement of the release after a meeting held with the chiefs of army, navy, and airforce and others at his residential office Bangabhaban.

The meeting has "decided unanimously to free Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia immediately", he said.

Top leaders of several political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, attended the meeting.