Khaleda Zia's son freed on bail

Mr Rahman is charged with extorting money

Tarique Rahman, the son of former Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia, has been released from detention while awaiting prosecution on corruption charges.

He was granted bail by the Bangladesh High Court while being held in a prison cell in a Dhaka hospital.

Members of Mr Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party say he needs treatment for a damaged spine after being tortured in custody.

He has now been moved into an ordinary room in the hospital.

Reports say he is likely to stay in the hospital for a few days before going abroad for treatment.

He was arrested in March 2007 during a nationwide crackdown on corruption and charged with extorting $147,000 from a construction company, police say. He denies wrongdoing.

Ms Zia has been in detention for a year on corruption charges.

Her great political rival, Sheikh Hasina, of the Awami League, is also facing corruption charges. She is currently in the United States for medical treatment.