DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has formally requested the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, according to Touhid Hossain, the interim government’s advisor on foreign affairs.
Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Touhid Hossain stated: “We have clearly informed India. We have sent a diplomatic note verbale requesting her return as part of the judicial process.”
The announcement followed comments from Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, who confirmed that a formal request had been initiated earlier in the day. “We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take necessary action to bring Sheikh Hasina back. The process is currently underway,” he told the media.
Sheikh Hasina, the president of the Awami League, fled to India on August 5 following a student-led mass movement that led to her government’s ousting. While several senior leaders of her party have been arrested, most remain in hiding.
The interim government is leveraging the International Crimes Tribunal, originally established by the Awami League in 2010 to prosecute 1971 Liberation War crimes, to address allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity committed under Hasina’s regime.
The tribunal has issued multiple arrest warrants, including one specifically against Sheikh Hasina and another for 45 individuals, comprising her family members and Awami League leaders, in connection with the suppression of the mass protests.
Allegations filed with the tribunal’s investigation agency and prosecutor’s office detail accusations of violence and crimes committed during the month-long movement from July 5 to August 5.
Indian authorities have yet to publicly respond to the extradition request.