Dhaka (TDI): Bangladesh will formally seek the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in a revolution this August and subsequently fled to India, interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced.
An arrest warrant has already been issued for Hasina, 77, who was last seen arriving in India after escaping by helicopter as protestors stormed her palace.
Hasina has been summoned to appear in court in Dhaka on Monday to face charges of massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity, but remains in exile.
Yunus emphasized that his government is focused on bringing those responsible for suppressing the protests and orchestrating mass killings to justice.
Several former ministers from Hasina’s administration, who have been detained, are expected to appear in court to face similar charges.
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The interim leader, appointed as “chief advisor” on August 9, following Hasina’s 15-year rule, stated that the government has already initiated proceedings to prosecute those accountable for enforced disappearances and the violence during the July-August uprising.
In a statement marking 100 days in government, Yunus also said that he had spoken with Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan.
“Dhaka will seek the extradition of the ousted autocrat from New Delhi,” Yunus said.
Bangladesh’s Request to Interpol
Earlier this month, the government had announced plans to request an Interpol “red notice” for fugitive members of Hasina’s regime.
However, while India is a member of Interpol, a red notice does not compel the Indian government to comply with extradition requests.
Yunus, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and microfinance pioneer, has pledged to restore democratic institutions in Bangladesh and promised to form an election commission in the coming days.
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However, he cautioned that elections would be held only once essential reforms are implemented, urging patience from the people.
The interim government faces significant challenges, with analysts warning that any failure to make progress on reforms could lead to an early election or even military intervention.
