Bangladesh seeks Interpol notice against ex-Premier Sheikh Hasina

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – A Bangladeshi court has requested the Interpol to issue a red notice to arrest former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is facing charges of mass killing and genocide.

“We requested the Interpol in a letter through the inspector general of police (IGP) to issue a red alert and measures to arrest former Prime Minister Hasina as she has gone out of Bangladesh jurisdiction,” International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The court forwarded the letter on Sunday to the IGP as the police is the communicating agency to this effect, he added.

An arrest warrant is pending against Hasina with the court on charges of mass killing and crimes against humanity that occurred during the student protests of July and August this year, the official added.

The tribunal earlier instructed Bangladeshi prosecutors to present Hasina in court by Nov. 18.

Meanwhile, the court also sought arrest warrants against four more police officials on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, bringing the number police officials sought to 21, according to Islam.

Earlier, Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters that the government would do everything possible through Interpol to arrest and bring back fugitive individuals, including ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The tribunal has filed more than 60 complaints against Hasina, her Awami League party, and several former senior law enforcement officials, accusing them of forced disappearances, murders and even genocide.

Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 amid the student-civilian uprising.

Later, Muhammad Yunus took office on Aug. 8 to lead the transitional government.

During the student-led protests, at least 775 people were killed, and more than 22,000 were injured, many sustaining bullet wounds from clashes with police, other law enforcement agencies and Awami League supporters, according to the Health Ministry.​​​​​​​