Dr. Tauheed Hossain, an advisor to Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Bangladeshi government has officially requested the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the Indian government. Speaking at the ministry today, Hossain informed the media that Bangladesh had dispatched a 'note verbal' to the Indian authorities, pleading for Hasina's extradition to face legal proceedings in the country.
After violent protests in Bangladesh, the 77-year-old Hasina traveled to India on August 5 and has since been living there in exile. Dhaka's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against Hasina and several former cabinet ministers, advisors, and military officials for 'crimes against humanity and genocide.'
Message Sent to the Indian Government
Foreign Affairs advisor Tauheed Hossain told reporters at his office, "We have sent a 'note verbal' (diplomatic message) to the Indian government stating that Bangladesh wants her to return for judicial proceedings."
Earlier this morning, Home Affairs advisor Jahangir Alam mentioned that his office had sent a letter to facilitate the ousted Prime Minister's extradition from India to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response to a question from the media, Alam conveyed, "We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about her extradition. The process is ongoing." Alam further noted that there is already an extradition treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi under which Hasina can be brought back to Bangladesh.
Sharp Critique Against Yunus
After resigning from the Prime Minister's position due to massive anti-government protests in August, Hasina, who found refuge in India, stated during a press conference in Bengali that 'anti-national groups' have unconstitutionally seized power. She declared, "This undemocratic faction, led by the fascist Yunus, holds no responsibility toward the people. They are seizing power and obstructing all public welfare activities."
Hasina criticized the Yunus government and stressed that the people of Bangladesh are troubled by rising prices. She stated, "Since this government wasn't democratically elected, they have no accountability to the people. Their primary goal is to suppress the spirit of the Liberation War and pro-liberation forces and stifle their voices. Conversely, they secretly support freedom-opposing radical communal forces. The insensitivity of this government's leaders, including the fascist Yunus, toward the Liberation War and its history reflects their intentions."
