Bangladesh’s interim authorities is making all efforts to carry again ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others from India underneath the extradition treaty, House Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury mentioned on Wednesday (February 5, 2025).
Ms. Hasina, 77, has been residing in India since August 5 final yr when she fled Bangladesh following a large student-led protest that toppled her Awami League’s 16-year regime.
Bangladesh’s Worldwide Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Ms. Hasina and several other former Cupboard ministers, advisers, and army and civil officers for “crimes in opposition to humanity and genocide”.
“We try to carry again those that are underneath trial on costs of crimes in opposition to humanity on the ICT,” Mr. Chowdhury was quoted as saying by state-run BSS information company.
He made the remarks whereas replying to a query on steps taken by the federal government to arrest over 100 accused in opposition to whom the ICT has issued arrest warrant.
Editorial: Value and profit: On Bangladesh, India and Sheikh Hasina
Final yr, Dhaka despatched a diplomatic word to New Delhi in search of the extradition of Ms. Hasina.
The House Adviser mentioned they’re arresting these staying within the nation whereas efforts are on to carry again others who’re staying overseas.
“We’re arresting those that are staying within the nation. The principle particular person (Hasina) just isn’t within the nation. How we might arrest them who’re overseas?” he mentioned, including that authorized efforts are occurring to carry them again.
When requested concerning the progress of issuing crimson notices in opposition to them, police chief Baharul Alam mentioned he hoped that Interpol would quickly concern discover in opposition to the individuals needed by the ICT.
“Because the crimson discover has been issued by the ICT, the host nation is liable to arrest them,” he mentioned.
The interim authorities has already revoked the passports of Ms. Hasina and 96 others over their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and the July killings.
In December, Bangladesh formally sought Ms. Hasina’s repatriation to face trial on costs of mass killings through the Anti-Discrimination Scholar’s Motion dubbed because the July-August rebellion.
Bangladesh’s Worldwide Crimes Tribunal, initially shaped to strive the hardened collaborators of atrocities of Pakistani troops throughout its 1971 Liberation Conflict, up to now has issued two arrest warrants ordering authorities to arrest her and guarantee her court docket look by February 12 as she was additionally accused of enforced disappearances through the previous 16-year rule.
In the meantime, the Excessive Court docket on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) acquitted all 47 folks convicted in a case filed over an assault on a prepare carrying Ms. Hasina, the then-leader of the opposition, in Ishwardi on September 23, 1994, the information company reported.
A bench of Justices Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam and Md Hamidur Rahman pronounced the judgment after listening to the convicts’ demise references and jail appeals.
Terming the decrease court docket judgment inhuman, the Excessive Court docket ordered the instant launch of the acquitted folks.
The decrease court docket had sentenced 9 folks to demise, 25 folks to life imprisonment and 13 others to 10 years in jail.
Ms. Hasina was travelling from Khulna to Syedpur by way of prepare when it was attacked with crude bombs and gunshots. Police filed a cost sheet in opposition to 52 Bangladesh Nationalist Celebration activists on April 4, 1997.
Revealed – February 05, 2025 05:35 pm IST
