Online Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will have to return to jail again and get permission from the court if she wants to go abroad for treatment.

Hasina, who is now in the US, made the remarks in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) Bangla, which was aired a few hours ago.

The interview was conducted by VOA journalist Satarupa Barua.

The Daily Star is publishing excerpts from the interview for readers (translation our own).

Asked if Hasina would reconsider sending Khaleda abroad for better treatment, the premier said, “I ask which country in the world was able to send a convict abroad for treatment. Will any country allow it?”

“If they want to (take Khaleda abroad), they will have to go back to the court. They will have to get permission from the court. There is no scope for us to interfere with any operation of the court,” she said.

“But yes, what as a government I could do for her is — suspend her jail sentence and allow her to stay at home and arrange her treatment. She is now receiving treatment on her own. She is receiving treatment at the most expensive hospital in Bangladesh.”

“But if they have to go abroad; now that I have given her permission to stay home, I will have to withdraw it. She has to return to jail again and go to the court. They have to appeal to the court. If the court rules, she can go. That’s the reality.”