Play store
The government sees no legal complications in bringing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India to face justice, said Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman.
Those convicted and sentenced by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) will be brought back to Bangladesh through extradition agreements and established legal procedures, he said.
The adviser made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday (November 10).
He said Hasina was not an ordinary criminal but had been convicted of serious crimes against humanity.
“An incident involving 100 or 500 murders is one thing, but crimes against humanity are an entirely different matter. Our Constitution also clearly provides for the suspension or withdrawal of ordinary fundamental rights in the case of those convicted of crimes against humanity,” he said.
Referring to discussions over Hasina’s extradition from India, the adviser said the Indian government had previously cited legal complications in the matter.
“However, when Sheikh Hasina herself has repeatedly expressed her desire to return to the country, the question of legal complications or prolonged court proceedings does not arise,” he said.
He noted that Bangladesh has an existing extradition treaty with India and that a formal request had already been made to the Indian government through official channels under the agreement.
Responding to questions about Hasina’s passport and the publication of the full verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal, Zahed Ur Rahman said she had not personally submitted any formal application for a passport, although a law firm had sent a letter to New Delhi.
“So, there is no scope for confusion over the issue,” he said.
Regarding the tribunal’s verdict, he said the short-form judgment was already in effect, while publication of the full judgment was part of the regular legal process and would be completed in due course.
He reiterated that the government’s priority was to follow established procedures and legal requirements in bringing convicted individuals back to the country.
“Sheikh Hasina will be brought back and handed over to face trial strictly through the legal process, not through any unclear or irregular means,” the adviser said.