By Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has initiated steps to extradite ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from India. On Sunday, the ICT’s chief prosecutor announced that legal proceedings have begun to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh to face trial for the violence that occurred before her removal from power in August.
Following intense protests and a harsh crackdown, Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 via military helicopter, landing near New Delhi where she sought refuge. Her presence in India has strained diplomatic relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, potentially leading to a diplomatic dispute as Bangladesh seeks her return.
Mohammad Tajul Islam, the ICT’s chief prosecutor, stated that Hasina is wanted for her alleged role in overseeing “massacres” during the uprising against her 15-year rule. He emphasized that Bangladesh has a criminal extradition treaty with India, signed in 2013 during Hasina’s tenure, which will be used to facilitate her return.
The ICT, established by Hasina in 2010, investigates crimes from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Hasina’s government faced accusations of severe human rights abuses, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. The violence leading up to her ouster resulted in over 600 deaths, according to a preliminary UN report, which suggests the true toll may be even higher.
