Dhaka: Sister of jailed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has made a humanitarian call to the Bangladesh government for Zia's release so that she can be taken advanced treatment.

“Her (Khaleda’s) physical condition is now very bad. She’s suffering from respiratory problem, and she’s almost unable to speak,” Selima Islam said while talking to reporters after meeting her sister at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), The Independent reported.

Selima further said, “I call upon the government to consider her ailment and consider her current physical condition, respiratory problem, and age.  She should either be released or given bail on humanitarian ground. We made this call to the government and demand her unconditional release.”

“We want her (Khaleda) to be released so that we can at least ensure advanced treatment for her. This is our only request (to the government,” an emotional Selima told the journalists.

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.