BD frees Khaleda on bail

DHAKA (AFP) - Emergency authorities in Bangladesh on Thursday released former prime minister Khaleda Zia as part of efforts to restore democracy in the South Asian country by the end of the year.

Zia, 63, walked out of jail after spending just over a year locked up over alleged corruption dating back to her two stints as premier from 1991-1996 and 2001-2006, her lawyer said.

Her release on bail - with graft charges still in place - comes as the army-backed govt seeks to relinquish power and hold nationwide elections in late December.