Bangladesh's Ex-Prime Minister Hasina Heads To U.S. For Treatment

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - Former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina left here Thursday morning for medical treatment in the United States, a day after her release from prison.

Thousands of party activists crowded Zia International Airport in the capital, where Hasina arrived under heavy security escort.

The former prime minister was scheduled to meet her younger sister Sheikh Rehana at Heathrow Airport in London on the way to Boston where she will meet her son Sajib Wazed Joy, according to Hasan Mahmud, a close aide to Hasina.

She will then fly to Canada to see her daughter Saima Wazed Putul. Hasina will fly back to Florida where she will have her medical treatment for her damaged ears, local reports said.

Hasina has been suffering from acute problems with her ears and eyes following deadly grenade attacks on her public rally in Dhaka on Aug. 21, 2004.

She was released from a makeshift jail in the parliament complex on Wednesday for a temporary period of eight weeks for her treatment abroad.

On July 16, 2007, Hasina was arrested at her Sudha Sadan residence in connection with an extortion case.