India notes Hasina verdict, says it remains committed to best interests of Bangladesh’s people
It also stated that the country will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to this end
Following the International Crimes Tribunal's death sentence for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, India has said it remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
"India has noted the verdict announced by the 'International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh' concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," the India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page this evening (17 November).
"As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country," read the statement.
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It also stated that the country will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to this end.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during last year's July Uprising.
The third accused in the case, former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was spared the death penalty and sentenced to five years in jail owing to his becoming a state witness.
Hasina fled to India on 5 August last year in face of a mass uprising. She has been living in the neighbouring country since then.
The Bangladesh government has repeatedly urged the government of India to extradite Hasina. However, India refrained from commenting on deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition request.
Following today's verdict, Bangladesh once again urged India to immediately hand over fugitive convicts Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, stressing that the step is India's treaty-bound obligation.
The existing bilateral extradition agreement between Bangladesh and India marks the transfer of the two convicts a compulsory responsibility for New Delhi, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The foreign ministry also said granting shelter to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would be considered an unfriendly act and a disregard for justice.
