United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the government has been trying from the very beginning to bring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh to ensure justice and has formally requested India to extradite her. "We have been trying to bring her back. If she returns, we will welcome her because we want to ensure justice," he said while responding to questions from journalists at the weekly briefing on the government's activities at Secretariat. Responding to another question he said the restriction on broadcasting Hasina's statements in the media is not a policy decision of the government but an order issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which the government is constitutionally bound to implement. He said the government has been making efforts to extradite her and believes the judicial process should determine her fate. "She has been sentenced to death. If we can bring her back through extradition, that is exactly what we are trying to do," he said. If she returns through mutual communication between the two countries, she will face the cases pending against her, said Dr Zahed. The adviser said Sheikh Hasina would have every opportunity to defend herself through a transparent judicial process. "There is now scope for engaging foreign lawyers in the International Crimes Tribunal. She may appoint the best lawyers in the world to defend her. International observers can monitor the proceedings, video recording facilities are available," he said. Zahed said as many people in the country expect the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina to be upheld and carried out the government remains committed to allowing the court to decide the matter independently. “We believe she has caused immense damage to the state, yet we still want her to receive justice through due process," he said. Responding to a question on whether Sheikh Hasina's return could create geopolitical complications, Dr. Zahed said he did not believe the issue carried significant geopolitical implications. He also claimed that Sheikh Hasina no longer has a political future in Bangladesh. He further noted that the current government, like the previous interim government  has formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, saying there was no reason for the government to feel pressured if she returned. "Yesterday the State Minister for Foreign Affairs said this government has also sought Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India. Therefore, there is no question of any pressure regarding this issue," he said. Asked how her return would be managed if India agreed to extradite her, Zahed said the procedural aspects would be handled through discussions between the two countries. "I do not know exactly how or when she will return and that depends on the procedures between the two states. If she wants to return, the country where she is staying will communicate with our government and the necessary arrangements will be made. These are procedural matters and will not become obstacles,” he said “The government's policy position is to bring her back and place her under the jurisdiction of justice. Naturally, if she wants to return, the government will facilitate that process," he added.