Begum Khaleda Zia

Bangladesh's interim government has formally charged former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia with corruption, eight months after first placing her under arrest.

An official with the country's Anti Corruption Commission told reporters on Monday that the government now has ample evidence to support graft charges against Ms. Zia in the case of a Canadian oil exploration company.

Ms. Zia has maintained her innocence, saying the allegations are politically motivated. Both of her sons -- Tarique and Arafat Rahman -- have also been arrested on graft charges.

Ms. Zia is one of some 150 politicians arrested last year in a nationwide crackdown on corruption.

Amir Khasru has more on the story.