October 1, 2007	Monday	Ramazan 18, 1428

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia was granted bail by the country’s High Court on Sunday after nearly a month in custody on corruption charges, her lawyer said.

Khaleda was arrested in early September along with her younger son on charges of illegally influencing the awarding of a government contract.

“A High Court bench today ordered her bail and halted the proceedings of the case under the emergency powers laws,” lawyer Mohammad Sanaullah said, adding the court had also demanded more explanation over the case. However it was not clear whether Khaleda, whose younger son Arafat Rahman Coco was refused bail, would be released immediately.—AFP