Advertisement
Bangladesh
AsiaSouth Asia

Citing ‘massacres’, Bangladesh seeks Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India

Hasina’s government was accused of human rights abuses including the mass detention and extrajudicial killing of her political opponents

2-MIN READ2-MIN
Protesters in Dhaka celebrate beside a defaced portrait of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after news of her resignation earlier this month. Photo: AP
Agence France-Presse
Bangladesh’s war crimes tribunal is to seek the extradition of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from neighbouring India, its chief prosecutor has said, accusing her of carrying out “massacres”.

Weeks of student-led demonstrations in Bangladesh escalated into mass protests last month, with Hasina quitting as prime minister and fleeing by helicopter to old ally India on August 5, ending her iron-fisted 15-year rule.

“As the main perpetrator has fled the country, we will start the legal procedure to bring her back,” Mohammad Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), told reporters on Sunday.

Advertisement
The ICT was set up by Hasina in 2010 to investigate atrocities during the 1971 independence war from Pakistan.

Hasina’s government was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killing of her political opponents.

02:42

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina accused of murder in deadly Bangladesh protests

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina accused of murder in deadly Bangladesh protests

“Bangladesh has a criminal extradition treaty with India which was signed in 2013, while Sheikh Hasina’s government was in power,” Islam added.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x