In a significant move by the current administration, passports have been revoked for 97 people linked to incidents of alleged enforced disappearances and alleged killings during the Awami League’s governance, specifically during the unrest in July. The list prominently includes ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was forced out of power due to a July conspiracy.
This announcement was made during a press briefing held on Tuesday evening at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital city. Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, serving as the Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, provided these details.
Azad Majumdar, speaking on behalf of the Passport Office, elaborated that the cancellations were divided into two groups: 22 individuals directly implicated in cases of disappearances and murders, and 75 individuals accused in relation to the violent events of the July incidents. This action was taken to prevent these individuals from fleeing the jurisdiction amid ongoing investigations.
Further scrutiny revealed that among those whose passports were revoked, there are five former Directors General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). These officials, named Akbar Hossain, Saifuddin Abedin, Saiful Alam, Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury, and Hamidul Haque, held significant influence during their tenure.
Also notably included in this list is Tarique Ahmed Siddique, who served as the defense advisor to Sheikh Hasina, highlighting the breadth of the crackdown on former government officials.
The passport cancellation list extends to encompass high-ranking members of the Awami League, including names like Obaidul Quader, AKM Mojammel Haque, Hassan Mahmoud, Asaduzzaman Khan, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Bahauddin Nasim, Mirza Azam, Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury, Nasrul Hamid, Mohammad Arafat, Shamim Osman, Mrinal Kanti Das, Elias Mollah, Benzir Ahmed, Mainul Hossain Khan, Wakil Uddin, and Solaiman Selim. The presence of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Sheikh Hasina, underscores the personal impact on the family of the former Prime Minister.
In response to queries about the implications of Sheikh Hasina’s passport cancellation, especially given her current residence in India, Azad Majumdar clarified that the Indian government has been duly informed of this development. He further stated that India has already issued a travel document to Sheikh Hasina, suggesting an acknowledgment of her situation but not necessarily endorsing her stay. Regarding the full disclosure of names on the cancellation list, he noted that for now, complete transparency on this matter would not be possible.
