Bangladesh on Monday urged the government of India to immediately hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted already, to its authorities.
“I understand they need to be brought back. We will let India know our position officially. Certainly, an official letter will be sent,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that Dhaka will write to New Delhi officially.
Acknowledging that India did not reply to Bangladesh’s extradition request for Hasina, Hossain said the situation is different now as the trial is completed and they are punished.
"This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement before the briefing.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising.
"It would be a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice for any other country to grant shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement.
Asked what would be the ministry’s role if India does not reply, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said he will not give any answer on any speculation.
When his attention was drawn to media reports, he said the media will do their assessment but there is no scope for the government to speculate. “We will do our official work.”
Meanwhile, India said it noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders.
“As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Monday.
The India ministry said they will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday sentenced Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August mass uprising.
The tribunal found all three accused guilty of the charges brought against them. Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on two counts of crimes against humanity. Asaduzzaman Khan was awarded the death penalty on one charge.
Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness in the case, was sentenced to five years in prison.
As Sheikh Hasina and former minister Asaduzzaman Khan fled the country amid the massive movement on August 5 last year only former IGP Mamun was present at the dock during the delivery of the judgment.