Bangladesh Revokes Passport Of Sheikh Hasina, 96 Others; Arrest Warrant Issued Against Former PM

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has revoked the passports of 97 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, said the decision comes in the wake of criminal proceedings against these persons in Bangladesh.

While 22 individuals are facing charges for alleged involvement in enforced disappearances, 75 others have been slapped with charges of involvement in killings during the student protests in Bangladesh last year.

The cancellation of passports comes a day after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 11 others in the case of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings during her tenure.

The tribunal has set a deadline of February 12 for the accused, including Hasina, to be arrested and produced before it.

Other accused include Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, who was Hasina’s defence advisor; former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed; former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) Ziaul Ahsan.

Hasina, the Awami League supremo, resigned and fled the country on August 5, 2024, amid nationwide protests and took refuge in India. Bangladesh has written to the Indian government seeking her extradition.