The authorities in Bangladesh have formally charged the opposition leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, with corruption.

The allegations against the former prime minister relate to the appointment of three-hundred police officers.

It's alleged that just after coming to power Begum Zia cancelled the appointment of officers who had already been selected, and instead employed her own supporters.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau initially filed the case eighteen months ago, and the BBC Dhaka correspondent says that the fact that Begum Zia has now been charged means the government believes it has enough evidence to prosecute her.

Begum Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party has dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated.