Image Credit: DelwarHossain
Bangladesh to Seek Sheikh Hasina’s Extradition from India
Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus announced on Sunday that his administration will pursue the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, where she has been in exile since fleeing during a mass uprising in August.
Hasina was forced to resign amid nationwide protests triggered by a controversial quota system for government jobs. The movement quickly escalated into widespread unrest, resulting in violence and chaos across the nation. Yunus assumed the role of chief advisor three days after Hasina fled the country.
Prosecution for Protest Deaths
In a televised address marking his first 100 days in office, Yunus stated that the interim government plans to prosecute those responsible for over 600 deaths during the student-led uprising. “We will seek the return of the fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina from India,” Yunus declared, emphasizing that her role in the deaths and other alleged human rights violations would be thoroughly investigated.
A special tribunal had earlier requested Interpol to issue a red notice for Hasina’s arrest, linking her to the deaths of hundreds of protesters. Yunus reiterated his government’s commitment to pursuing her extradition along with her close associates, many of whom face criminal charges in Bangladesh.
ICC Involvement
The interim government is also engaging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take up the case. “I have already discussed the issue with Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan,” Yunus revealed, signaling a potential international dimension to the proceedings.
Focus on Electoral Reforms
Yunus stressed that the administration’s primary goal is to organize free and fair elections and transfer power to an elected government. However, he refrained from providing a specific timeline, noting that electoral and other systemic reforms must precede the elections.
The developments mark a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the Yunus-led interim government seeking justice for past unrest while navigating the path toward democratic stability.
