New Delhi: Bangladesh’s interim government on Monday sent a formal diplomatic note (note verbale) to India to send back deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka.
Hasina, 77, fled to India after thousands of protesters laid siege to her residence amid the student-led agitations that toppled her 16-year regime. Since August 5, the former PM has been living in exile in India.
The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials on charges of “crimes against humanity and genocide”.
“We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process,” said Foreign Affairs Adviser or de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain.
Home advisor cites extradition treaty
Earlier on Monday morning, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said his office has sent a letter to the foreign ministry to facilitate the return of ousted premier’s from India. “We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway,” he told reporters. Alam said an extradition treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi already exists and Hasina could be brought back to Bangladesh under the treaty.
