Dhaka seeks Interpol Red Notice after death sentence verdict
The political landscape in Bangladesh continues to remain volatile as the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, intensifies its efforts to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country. Following a significant ruling by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, which sentenced Hasina and her former cabinet colleague Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death, the administration is now looking to international policing channels for assistance.
Reports from Bangladeshi media indicate that the prosecutor's office is preparing to formally request Interpol’s intervention. The objective is to secure the Sheikh Hasina extradition process from India, where she has been sheltering since fleeing Dhaka during the student-led uprisings in August 2024.
Upgrading the Interpol Notice
Gazi MH Tamim, a prosecutor for the ICT, clarified the legal strategy in a statement to The Financial Express. While an application for a Red Notice based on an initial arrest warrant had already been submitted, the legal ground has shifted. With the death penalty now pronounced, the tribunal plans to submit a fresh request to Interpol. This new application will be based on the "conviction warrant" rather than just an arrest warrant, signaling that the duo are now convicted fugitives rather than just suspects.
Diplomatic Channels with New Delhi
Parallel to the Interpol move, the Yunus administration is preparing to engage directly with the Indian government. Asif Nazrul, the Adviser for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, confirmed that a formal diplomatic note is being finalized to demand the return of the ousted leader.
Although India and Bangladesh share a 2013 extradition treaty, the path ahead is complicated. The treaty contains specific clauses that allow a country to refuse extradition if the charges are deemed "political in nature." Legal experts suggest this could create a grey zone, as the ousted Awami League leadership claims the tribunal's actions are politically motivated.
Reactions from the Accused
Both Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were tried and sentenced in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the violence during the July-August agitation.
Speaking to news outlets, Kamal, whose exact location remains undisclosed but is suspected to be in India, dismissed the verdict as a farce designed to dismantle the Awami League's leadership. Similarly, Hasina’s party has condemned the tribunal, calling it a "rigged" setup by an unelected government lacking a democratic mandate.
As Dhaka pushes for the Sheikh Hasina extradition, all eyes are now on New Delhi to see how it navigates this sensitive diplomatic challenge while maintaining its commitment to the people of Bangladesh.
