Bangladesh to seek extradition of ex-premier Hasina from India

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh will ask India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile since August after fleeing a student-led uprising, the head of the country’s interim government said Sunday.

Muhammad Yunus made the remarks in a televised address to the nation marking his first 100 days in office, saying his administration is committed to ensuring that those guilty of cracking down on the protests to oust Hasina face justice.

“We will ensure justice for every murder (through trial). The initiative we have taken to ensure justice for the July-August murders is also progressing very well. We will also demand the return of the fallen dictator Sheikh Hasina from India,” Yunus said.

India and Bangladesh have a bilateral extradition treaty.

Hasina fled India on Aug. 5 in face of massive protests in July and August. Following her departure, Nobel laureate Yunus took office on Aug. 8.

During the protests, around 1,500 people were killed, Yunus said in his address.

“Our government is collecting information about each death with great care. As many as 19,931 people were injured in this uprising,” he added.

The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others, including her close aides, on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the protests.

Earlier, the tribunal asked the international police organization Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of Hasina.

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

Yunus added that they have formed a commission to investigate all incidents of enforced disappearance during the past regime.

He said it has so far received information of 1,600 incidents of forced disappearance until October this year which could exceed 3,500.

As demand from political parties for a national election is growing, Yunus said that once the decision on electoral reforms is made, the election roadmap will also be announced.

“The election train has started its journey; it will not stop. But we have to complete many tasks as we go,” he said.