Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday clarified that the country’s request for the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is independent of her reported Indian visa extension.
“We have requested India to return Sheikh Hasina as a Bangladeshi citizen. Her status in India has no relevance to this request. It is not a matter of our consideration,” stated a foreign office spokesman during a weekly media briefing.
Sheikh Hasina, 77, has been residing in India since August 5, 2024, after fleeing Bangladesh in the wake of a massive student-led protest that led to the fall of her 16-year Awami League (AL) regime. The protests culminated in her government’s ousting, referred to as the July-August Uprising.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and officials for alleged crimes against humanity and genocide. These charges stem from enforced disappearances and mass killings during her administration.
The interim government announced earlier this week that it had revoked the passports of Sheikh Hasina and 96 others accused of involvement in the July killings and disappearances. Diplomatic channels were reportedly informed of these decisions.
Addressing media speculation regarding New Delhi’s recent extension of Sheikh Hasina’s visa, spokesman Rafiqul Alam said, “We do not have additional information and will not speculate. When a Bangladeshi citizen’s passport is revoked, the country concerned is notified through our missions, and in such cases, a visa is no longer required.”
Bangladesh formally sought Sheikh Hasina’s repatriation last month, requesting her extradition to stand trial for charges linked to the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement that escalated into nationwide protests and ultimately toppled her government. The ICT has set a deadline of February 12 for her court appearance, issuing multiple warrants to facilitate her arrest.
New Delhi has acknowledged receiving Dhaka’s extradition request but has yet to respond officially. When questioned about the timeline for India’s response, Alam remarked, “There is no definitive answer. We will wait for India’s response.”
Sheikh Hasina’s legal and political status remains a focal point of international and regional attention as Bangladesh navigates the complexities of her extradition and prosecution.