Bangladesh urges India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

(CLO) The interim government of Bangladesh has officially requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can face charges of "crimes against humanity".

Hasina fled to New Delhi by helicopter in August, after being overthrown by large-scale student protests against her government.

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Russell Watkin/UK Department for International Development.

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that it had sent a formal request to India for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. Acting Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain said a "diplomatic note" had been sent to the Indian government stating: "The Government of Bangladesh wishes for Ms. Hasina to return to the country to undergo judicial proceedings."

Ms. Hasina is facing a court summons in Dhaka to answer charges related to “massacre, murder and crimes against humanity”.

She fled Bangladesh on August 5th, when mobs stormed her residence in Dhaka. Dozens of Hasina's allies have been arrested, accused of involvement in the violent crackdown that left more than 700 people dead.

An Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed receipt of the diplomatic note from the Bangladeshi Embassy, ​​but declined to comment further on the matter.

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, has repeatedly criticized Hasina since her ouster. Yunus accuses Hasina of being responsible for a series of extrajudicial detentions and executions of political opponents.

The war crimes tribunal in Dhaka has issued arrest warrants for Ms Hasina and her close associates. The Bangladesh government has also asked Interpol for assistance in arresting her.

The conflict between the two countries escalated further when Hasina, from New Delhi, repeatedly criticized Yunus's government, particularly for allegedly failing to protect minority groups, especially the Hindu community.

India recently stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshi citizens, except in medical emergencies. Many Indian citizens working in Bangladesh have also left due to security concerns.

Tensions between the two countries escalated following the arrest of a Hindu spiritual leader in Bangladesh, as well as attacks on this minority community. Simultaneously, a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in India was attacked, negatively impacting bilateral relations.

The extradition request comes just two weeks after India's Foreign Minister visited Bangladesh. This was the first high-level visit since Hasina ended her 15-year term in power.

Hong Hanh (according to AFP, DW, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bangladesh-thuc-giuc-an-do-dan-do-cuu-thu-tuong-sheikh-hasina-post327182.html