Baku, August 6, AZERTAC

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday dissolved the parliament, ending ex-Premier Sheikh Hasina's era as weeks of protests over quota in government jobs forced her to flee to India, according to Anadolu Agency.

The parliament came into being after the controversial Jan. 7 national elections, which were boycotted by top opposition parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami.

The presidency in a statement said the decision was taken after discussions with the armed forces chiefs, leaders of political parties, representatives of the civil society and leaders of the student-led protest movement.

The students had given a 24-hour deadline to dissolve the parliament and announce an interim government.

The statement said Khaleda Zia, the main opposition leader and head of BNP, was also released. The 78-year-old and twice the prime minister of Bangladesh was sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption in 2018.