Dhaka: Bangladesh's interim government has said it will seek Interpol's help to repatriate exiled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, to face trial for alleged “crimes against humanity”. The 77-year-old Awami League chief and her party leaders are accused of brutal suppression of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, resulting in numerous casualties during the July-August protests that later intensified into a large-scale uprising, forcing Hasina to secretly flee to India on August 5.
"A Red Notice will be issued through Interpol very soon. No matter where in the world these fugitive fascists are hiding, they will be brought back and held accountable in court," PTI quoted law affairs advisor Asif Nazrul.
According to the Bangladesh government officials, a red notice is not an international arrest warrant, but a global request for the law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has said that at least 753 people were killed and thousands injured during the protests. The government has said that over 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide were filed against Hasina and her Awami League leaders with the International Crimes Tribunal and the prosecution team till mid-October. The interim government earlier said that Hasina and several of her cabinet colleagues and Awami League leaders would be tried in this special tribunal.
| Dhaka witnessed violent scenes late last week as student groups and pro-government outfits opposed a protest announced by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League. The administration led by Muhammad Yunus denied permission for any demonstration, labelling the Awami League a "fascist" organization and warning that the government would not tolerate any "attempts to incite violence". |
