Bangladesh court to hear govt's appeal against Khalida Zia's bail today

The supreme court is set to hear the appeals by the government and anti-corruption commission challenging a high court bail order to former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. A special court on February 8, sentenced Zia to five years imprisonment on charges of misappropriating $252,000 from the Zia orphanage trust.

Zia's defence counsel had prayed for her bail on grounds of her social status, age and primarily poor health conditions.

Reports say the 73-year-old former premier is suffering from chronic degenerative medical conditions.

A medical board formed to evaluate her health conditions concluded that her condition is not serious.

Her Bangladesh nationalist party leaders have warned that the government would be responsible if her condition deteriorates.