Dhaka
A Bangladesh court issued a second arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This time the warrant was issued for his alleged role in the case of enforced disappearances. An arrest warrant has already been issued against 77-year-old Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity. Hasina had to leave power and flee to India in August last year following the anger arising from the student movement.
Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of the domestic International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), said the second warrant related to enforced disappearances during his regime, according to media reports. Bangladeshi security personnel are alleged to have abducted more than 500 people, some of whom were detained in secret bases for several years.
“The court has issued warrants against Sheikh Hasina and 11 others, including her military adviser, military personnel and other law enforcement officials,” Islam said. The interim government is making Hasina’s extradition and trial a big issue. According to media reports, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam during a press conference on Sunday stressed that Hasina should face justice for ‘crimes against humanity’.
The interim government of Bangladesh has recently sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, demanding the extradition of the country’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We have informed India and requested the return of Sheikh Hasina for judicial purposes,” Tauheed Hussain, the interim government’s foreign affairs adviser, said in Dhaka on December 23. “It has been communicated through a note verbale (diplomatic note).”
