Dhaka writes to New Delhi afresh seeking Hasina's extradition
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (22 November) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi but did not elaborate further.
Bangladesh has written afresh to India seeking ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition following the recent verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (23 November) disclosed the fresh diplomatic communication with New Delhi but did not elaborate further, reports UNB.
A diplomatic source in New Delhi told UNB that the diplomatic note (note verbale) was sent to New Delhi soon after National Security Adviser (NSA) and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue Khalilur Rahman's returned home from New Delhi.
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Khalilur attended the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on 20 November at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval.
This is the second such request. In December last year, the foreign ministry had sent a letter to India's Ministry of External Affairs for Hasina's repatriation, but no response was received.
On 17 November, the ICT sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year's July-August mass uprising. Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison.
After the verdict, Bangladesh urged the government of India to immediately hand over Hasina and Kamal to its authorities.
"I understand they need to be brought back. We will let India know our position officially. Certainly, an official letter will be sent," Foreign Adviser Touhid told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 17 November.
Acknowledging that India did not reply to Bangladesh's extradition request for Hasina earlier, Touhid said the situation is different now as the trial is completed and they are punished.
"This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
"It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement.
Meanwhile, India said it noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning Hasina and said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders.
"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," said India's Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
The India ministry said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.
