Dhaka:Detained former Bangladeshi premier Khaleda Zia has appealed for bail in two remaining graft cases, paving the way for her release from custody this week, her lawyer said today.

Nasir Uddin Ashim said her team of lawyers petitioned for bail in the country s high court, which has granted her bail in two other cases.

The government wants Zia to go overseas for medical treatment in exchange for the participation of her Bangladesh National Party (BNP) in upcoming elections.

"We expect she would be released on bail by Thursday," Ashim said.

The emergency government has released Zia s eldest son and heir apparent, Tareque Rahman, after he was granted bail on all 13 charges of graft against him.

Commerce Minister Hossain Zillur told reporters the government would release Zia -- detained since September last year on corruption charges-- if she was granted bail.

Zia s youngest son, Arafat Rahman Koko, was freed last month and sent to Thailand, where he is being treated for respiratory problems.

The military government, which came to power in January 2007 after emergency rule was imposed and polls cancelled following charges of vote-rigging, freed Zia s arch-rival and ex-premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed in June.

Sheikh Hasina, who still faces corruption charges, was allowed to travel to the United States in an apparent deal with the government under which her Awami League party agreed to take part in the planned December elections.

The administration is keen to have the participation of the Awami League and the BNP -- Bangladesh s two main political parties -- to ensure the elections are credible.
Source : PTI