Bangladesh Interim Govt To Seek Interpol's Assistance To Repatriate Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Banglesh 's interim government on Sunday said it will seek Interpol's assistance in repatriating deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, and or "fugitives", to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

Hasina and her party leers face accusations of ordering brutal suppression of Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, resulting in numerous casualties during July-August protests. movement later intensified into a large-scale uprising, forcing Hasina to secretly flee to India on August 5.

According to interim government led by Chief viser Muhamm Yunus, at least 753 people were killed and thousands injured during protests, which it termed crimes against humanity and gecide. Over 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and gecide have been filed against Hasina and her party leers with ICT and prosecution team till mid-October.

'Interpol Will Issue Red tice'

"A Red tice will be issued through Interpol very soon. matter where in world se fugitive fascists are hiding, y will be brought back and held accountable in court," Law Affairs viser Asif Nazrul told reporters here after inspecting status of revation at International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which is housed in Old High Court building on Supreme Court premises.

Officials said that a Red tice is t an international arrest warrant but a global request for law enforcement ncies to locate and provisionally detain a person pending extrition, surrender, or or legal actions. Interpol member countries enforce Red tices in accordance with ir own national laws.

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was established by Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 2010 to prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity during 1971 Liberation War. tribunal later created a second bench, ICT-2, which resulted in execution of at least six leers from Jamaat-e-Islami party and Hasina's political rival, Khaleda Zia's BNP party, based on tribunal's rulings. ICT h been inactive since mid-June following retirement of its chairman.

On October 12, interim government reconstituted tribunal, and five days later, on October 17, tribunal issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 ors, including her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and several former members of her cabinet.

interim government h previously stated that Hasina and or senior Awami League leers would be tried in special tribunal. However, in an interview with UK-based Financial Times, Chief viser Yunus indicated that his government would t immediately seek Hasina’s extrition from India, a stance aimed at avoiding diplomatic tensions between two nations.

(With inputs from PTI)