The newly appointed chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Mohammad Taijul Islam, announced on Sunday that the country is set to take necessary steps to secure the extradition of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from her exile in India. The move comes as part of an effort to bring her to trial on charges of mass killings during student-led protests in July and August.
At a press briefing held at the ICT premises in Dhaka, Islam revealed that an application would soon be filed to issue arrest warrants against Hasina and other absconding individuals. “Necessary steps will be taken to bring former prime minister Hasina back under the extradition treaty with India to try her on charges of mass killings during the student-led protests,” he was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.
The tribunal’s upcoming investigation against Hasina, along with nine other individuals, focuses on charges of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” for alleged government repression during the mass student movement that ultimately led to her fleeing Bangladesh and seeking asylum in India.
Islam highlighted the challenges of gathering evidence from across the country, describing it as a “huge task” that will involve compiling and presenting information before the tribunal. The prosecutor also stressed that reconstituting the ICT, which has seen several resignations following the formation of the new interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, would be a priority.
The interim government is expected to introduce necessary legal amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to accommodate the trials of new cases. Bangladesh’s ICT has been tasked with investigating war crimes committed during the country’s 1971 war of independence, and now faces the task of prosecuting the alleged atrocities committed under Hasina’s leadership during the recent civil unrest.
Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League and Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, was forced into exile following widespread protests led by students against her government. The protests were triggered by allegations of corruption and police violence, leading to weeks of unrest. The subsequent crackdown resulted in numerous deaths, drawing international condemnation.
While in India, Hasina has reportedly sought asylum, but Bangladesh’s government is now exploring legal avenues for her extradition under the existing treaty between the two nations.
Sources By Agencies
