Dhaka - Former Bangladesh prime minister will be released from detentionso she can seek medical treatment abroad, police said Wednesday.

Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, detained on corruption charges for nearly a year, is to be released Wednesday for eight weeks so she can obtain medical treatment abroad, Inspector General of Police Noor Muhammad said.

Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, has been held in a special jail set up on the grounds of parliament since July. (dpa)