Dhaka
Md Tajul Islam, the Chief Prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), has sent a letter to Inspector General of Police Md Moinul Islam, urging action to issue a Red Notice through Interpol for the repatriation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates. The request was made on Tuesday, according to a report by sources.
This development follows a statement by Law Affairs adviser Asif Nazrul on Sunday, announcing Bangladesh’s intention to seek Interpol’s help in bringing Hasina and other alleged “fugitives” back to face trial for crimes against humanity. Hasina and her party officials have been accused of ordering the violent crackdown on the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, which led to numerous deaths during protests in July and August. The movement later escalated into a nationwide uprising, forcing Hasina to flee to India on August 5.
The interim government has accused Hasina of genocide, claiming over 750 deaths and thousands of injuries during the protests. More than 60 complaints have been filed against Hasina and her leaders for crimes against humanity.
A Red Notice is not an arrest warrant but a request for member countries of Interpol to locate and temporarily detain individuals pending extradition. The ICT, which was initially formed by Hasina’s government in 2010 to prosecute 1971 war criminals, has also issued arrest warrants for Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and 45 other officials. While the interim government aims to try Hasina and her associates, it has not yet sought her immediate extradition from India to avoid diplomatic tensions.
