Tarique's return depends on his decision: Foreign adviser
Travel document issues to be addressed if he decides to return, he says
BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman's return to Bangladesh depends on his own decision but the government will address the issues related to his travel documents or passport when it is required, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (4 September).
"Look, it's his decision (when he will return to Bangladesh). He is a citizen of this country. He can come anytime. If there is any travel document-related problem, we will solve that but he has to take the decision," he told journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Asked whether Tarique applied for a passport, the foreign adviser said he does not know it yet and this issue is yet to come to his notice.
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Hossain said they will extend required cooperation to him when Tarique is willing to come.
The Appellate Division today upheld a High Court order that acquitted all convicts, including Tarique and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutforzzman Babar, in the sensational 21 August grenade attack case.
A seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, passed the order ending the long legal battle.
No 2nd letter seeking Hasina's extradition
Hossain also said there has been no update yet on Dhaka's request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.
He, however, said there has been no second request letter from Dhaka as of now. "We wrote once. If we write further, you will come to know."
Responding to a question, Hossain said there is no barrier from Dhaka for improving the relations with New Delhi but it needs both side's cooperation to agree on any issues.
In July this year, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said the government would continue to pursue the extradition of Hasina, currently reported to be in India since August 5 last year.
"I don't know who regrets how much, but we see the matter this way - if necessary, the matter will be followed up," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July when a reporter asked whether there was any regret over the government's failure to bring Hasina back nearly a year after the formal request.
Bangladesh had sent a diplomatic note (note verbale) to India in December last year, along with a set of supporting documents, formally requesting Hasina's extradition.
