Bangladesh Moves to Extradite Former PM Sheikh Hasina from India

Bangladesh Moves to Extradite Former PM Sheikh Hasina from India. In a significant political and legal development, Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has initiated steps to extradite ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.

The decision comes in the wake of mass protests and violence that preceded Hasina’s dramatic exit from power. Her government, which held office for 15 years, is being scrutinized for its actions during the final days of her reign.

The chief prosecutor of the ICT, Mohammad Tajul Islam, announced on Sunday that legal measures are being taken to ensure Hasina’s return to Bangladesh. She is expected to face trial for her involvement in the violent crackdown on protests before her ouster.

The unrest that culminated in her fleeing Bangladesh in early August resulted in widespread casualties, with over 600 people reportedly killed during the protests, according to preliminary reports by the United Nations.

On August 5, following escalating protests and mounting pressure, Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh by military helicopter, seeking refuge at an airbase near New Delhi, India. Her presence in India has since cast a shadow over the diplomatic relationship between the two neighboring nations. As Bangladesh seeks her extradition, concerns are growing about a potential diplomatic dispute between Dhaka and New Delhi.

Hasina’s administration is facing allegations of ruling with an iron fist during her time in office, particularly during the tumultuous period leading to her downfall. According to the ICT, she is being held responsible for overseeing what it calls “massacres” that occurred as the protests intensified.

The ICT, established by Hasina herself in 2010 to investigate atrocities committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, is now turning its focus on the former leader.

“As the main perpetrator has fled the country, we will start the legal procedure to bring her back,” said Mohammad Tajul Islam. The process will be initiated under the criminal extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013 during Hasina’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The political and legal implications of Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India are profound. Bangladesh is determined to bring her back to face trial, which could lead to diplomatic tension between the two countries.

The criminal extradition treaty, signed during Hasina’s own time in office, is expected to serve as the basis for Bangladesh’s request for extradition.

The former Prime Minister has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including mass detentions, extrajudicial killings, and silencing political opposition during her time in power.

These accusations have fueled the calls for justice, with her leadership being blamed for the deaths of over 600 people during the protests that led to her removal from office. The United Nations report suggests that the death toll is likely an underestimate, adding to the urgency of her extradition.

As Bangladesh takes steps to secure Sheikh Hasina’s return from India, the situation is poised to further strain diplomatic ties between the two nations. With accusations of human rights violations and violent repression looming over her leadership, the former Prime Minister’s fate remains uncertain.

The ICT, once established to investigate crimes from Bangladesh’s war of independence, now finds itself in the unexpected position of prosecuting the leader who brought it into existence. As legal proceedings begin, the international community will be closely watching how this situation unfolds.