Dhaka is sending a formal request to New Delhi to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August amid protests that ended her 15-year rule.
Bangladesh has informed India that it wants former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi in August, back to the country for “legal proceedings,” the country’s acting foreign ministry chief says.
“We have sent a verbal note to the Indian government saying that the Bangladesh government wants her (Hasina) back here for trial,” Touhid Hossain told reporters on Monday, referring to diplomatic correspondence between the both countries.
Hossain did not provide further details about the court proceedings.
“We confirm that we have today received a verbal note from the Bangladesh High Commission in relation to an extradition request. At this stage, we cannot comment on this matter,” said the official Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Bonds between the South Asian neighborswhich have strong trade and cultural ties, have been strained since Hasina was deposed after violent protests against her rule and sought refuge across the border.
The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has demanded that India send Hasina back so that Bangladesh can try her for alleged crimes against protesters and their opponents, as well as for crimes committed against her in the past during her time in office on March 15 Years.
Yunus was also upset with Hasina for criticizing his government from New Delhi.
Dhaka’s request to New Delhi came two weeks after the Indian foreign minister’s visit to Bangladesh and the two countries expressed hope for it Improve relationships.
Hasina faces numerous charges, including crimes against humanity, genocide and murder, among others, all of which she has denied.
Dozens of Hasina’s allies have been detained since her regime collapsed in August and accused of involvement in a police operation that killed more than 750 people, mostly youth, during the unrest that led to her ouster.
Hasina also called for an investigation into the killings, saying many deaths could have involved people other than security agencies.
The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and her close associates, and the government has asked the international police organization Interpol for help in arresting her.
Separately, Bangladesh on Monday launched an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion linked to a Russian-backed nuclear power plant – the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant – by Hasina and her family, the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission said.
“The allegations of kickbacks, mismanagement, money laundering and potential abuse of power raise significant concerns about the integrity of the project and the use of public funds,” the commission said.
