Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia waves to supporters after she was arrested in Dhaka (2007 file photo)

Bangladesh's government has brought new corruption charges against detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Thecountry's Anti-Corruption Commission Thursday accused Ms. Zia, her son,Tarique Rahman and five others of embezzling more than $300,000 (21million taka) from a trust meant for orphans.

She and her two sons already are being held on other corruption charges.

Theywere among 170 politicians and business people arrested last yearduring an anti-graft sweep by Bangladesh's military-backed caretakergovernment. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also was detained inthe crackdown. She was recently released on parole to receive medicaltreatment in the U.S.

Ms. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party hasvowed to boycott the country's parliamentary elections, set forDecember, unless the former prime minister is released from detention.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.