AUTHORITIES PROVIDE SPECIAL JAIL ACCOMMODATIONS TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001235 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KGOV KDEM BG SUBJECT: AUTHORITIES PROVIDE SPECIAL JAIL ACCOMMODATIONS TO HASINA REF: DHAKA 1161 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. On July 16, Awami League president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was arrested by police and arraigned on charges of abetting extortion. She is being held at a special sub-jail created for her on the grounds of Parliament. Over the past two weeks, authorities have made improvements to the facility and are permitting visits by family members and lawyers. END SUMMARY. CONDITIONS IN HASINA'S SUB-JAIL =============================== ¶2. (SBU) After her arrest on July 16, Awami League president and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed was taken to a sub-jail specially created for her on the grounds of the National Parliament in Dhaka (reftel). The two-story, air-conditioned building she is being held in, which was built as the official residence of the Deputy Whip of Parliament, has a living room, dining room, and kitchen on the ground floor. Hasina's bedroom, with attached bathroom, is upstairs. ¶3. (SBU) According to one of Hasina's lawyers who visited her during her first week of confinement, authorities have treated her well. When she complained about her bed, for example, they immediately replaced it. A color television from Hasina's home has been installed at the sub-jail, and Hasina is receiving four newspapers daily. The prison authorities have permitted her to bring pillows and linens from her home. Food is brought in from the main Dhaka prison and prepared at the on-site kitchen. So far, authorities have rejected Hasina's request to bring in her own food. ¶4. (SBU) Twenty jail police, including five females, under supervision of a deputy jailor, are posted at the sub-jail. Officers of the Rapid Action Battalion and regular police are also deployed around the facility. ¶5. (SBU) Authorities have denied Hasina's request that she be permitted to walk about the Parliament grounds, citing security concerns. She can move around the main rooms of the sub-jail unescorted. ACCESS TO HASINA ================ ¶6. (SBU) In the first few days of her incarceration, Hasina could not receive visitors and access to her attorneys was limited. On July 17, the Anti-Corruption Commission ordered Hasina to submit her wealth statement within seven days. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed "Joy," who resides in the U.S., complained publicly this was a "trap" since she could not complete this without access to her attorneys. By July 21, her lawyers were permitted to visit her regularly. On July 28, the ACC extended by a week the deadline for submission of the wealth statement to give her more time to prepare it. ¶7. (SBU) The Deputy Inspector General of Prisons has now granted permission for Hasina to receive visitors, based on a list of her 25 closest relatives submitted by Hasina's lawyers. These visits are now happening regularly. A recent visitor told us he was treated courteously by prison officials while meeting with Hasina. (NOTE: According to the Bangladesh Penal Code, two relatives and/or lawyers can see a "class one" detainee twice per month. Hasina is being treated better than most of the political detainees arrested by the government confined in jails around the country.) HEALTH CONDITION ================ ¶8. (SBU) Hasina complained of back pain after being jostled en route to court immediately after her arrest. The prison arranged for her personal physician and a physiotherapist to treat her at the sub-jail on July 17. Her family was also permitted to provide her with high blood pressure medication. A female doctor and a nurse have now been posted around the clock at the sub-jail to tend to Hasina as needed. An ambulance is being kept on stand-by to respond to any emergencies. ¶9. (SBU) The Embassy continues to monitor Hasina's trial and the conditions of her confinement. DHAKA 00001235 002 OF 002 PASI