‘India may not return Hasina as we heard’
When Bangladesh awaits India's reply to a request for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition, Adviser Mahfuj Alam has said the government thinks India would not return her.
"Our observation is that they have made a political decision that they will not return her. We are hearing as such," the adviser said when asked whether the issue was discussed or whether they have any observations regarding Hasina's stay in India.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Mahfuj was talking to reporters after attending a dialogue titled "Establishing New Bangladesh: Internal Reforms and Foreign Policy" in Dhaka yesterday.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam also joined the dialogue moderated by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.
After Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on December 23 revealed the government sent a note verbale requesting Hasina's extradition, India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it received the diplomatic message. Its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, however, said they would not comment on the matter for now.
A day later, Bangladesh foreign ministry's spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said Dhaka would remind New Delhi about the issue in writing after waiting for a "certain period" if there was no reply.
While speaking about the request for Hasina's extradition, Bangladesh officials have cited a 2013 treaty, which was later amended in 2016, providing a legal framework for such requests.
In July 2016, Bangladesh and India amended Article 10 (3) of the treaty to facilitate the swift extradition of fugitive criminals between the two nations.
Hasina is facing over 100 cases with a wide range of charges, including murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity over killings during the July uprising that led to her ouster and flight to India on August 5.
On December 8, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said they would formally approach India seeking Hasina's extradition after completing the required legal procedures.
"Our government's position on the extradition of Sheikh Hasina is very clear. We want to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country to face the law," he said.
Comments