Bangladesh To Try Sheikh Hasina For Mass Killing, Will Ask India For Her Extradition

Dhaka: It was very much on the cards since an interim government took charge in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister and fled to India last month amid violent protests against her job quota policy.

On Sunday, Bangladesh made it official that they will seek Hasina’s extradition from India for her to face charges of genocide and mass killings back home.

Mohammad Tajul Islam, newly-appointed chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), revealed at a press conference about that the administration’s intention to ask for Hasina’s return under the extradition treaty with India.

Islam said that Bangladeshi authorities will file an application with the ICT seeking arrest warrants against Hasina and other absconding suspects, who are allegedly to blame for the killing of hundreds of protesters during July-August.

“We will file an application with the International Crimes Tribunal, when it resumes functions, to issue arrest warrants against all the absconding accused including Sheikh Hasina in connection with the cases filed for mass killing and crimes against humanity,” Islam stated.

According to the interim government’s Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds injured during the protests against Hasina’s administration.

ICT last month launched an investigation into Hasina and nine others on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity related to the violence that erupted between July 15 and August 5.

Hasina has been in India since August 5, having failed to get asylum in the UK or other countries.

India’s response to Bangladesh’s appeal is awaited.