Adviser to the Prime Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, BB, has sought sincere cooperation of the US government to deport Rashed Chowdhury, the fugitive convicted killer of Bangabandhu, to Bangladesh immediately to face justice. The Energy Adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on Monday organised by Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC as part of the observance of the National Mourning Day and the 47th martyrdom anniversary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam presided over the seminar titled "Deportation of the killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: A long pending issue in Bangladesh-US relations” and North Carolina Central University Professor Dr ABM Nasir presented the keynote paper at the event. Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, a gallantry award-recipient valiant  Freedom Fighter, said that the continued stay of Bangabandhu’s killer in the US was unfortunate given the excellent bilateral relations, and opined that extradition of Rashed Chowdhury would be a game-changer in Bangladesh-US relations. Also read: Momen to countries sheltering Bangabandhu’s killers: 'It's very unfair:' The Ambassador, in his remarks, gave an overview on the Awami League government’s efforts to secure deportation of Bangabandhu's self-confessed killer Rashed Chowdhury. The main objective of the seminar was to create greater awareness among the US citizens and Bangladeshi-American diaspora of the urgent need for extradition of the heinous killer of Bangabandhu to further solidify Bangladesh-US relations, Ambassador Shahidul Islam added. Professor Dr ABM Nasir, in his keynoter paper, said killer Rashed Chowdhury has committed crimes against humanity by brutally killing three children, two pregnant females and other unarmed civilians. He demanded of the US government to immediately detain and deport Rashed Chowdhury. Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar moderated the seminar, while eminent actor Syed Hasan Imam, noted choreographer and dancer Laila Hasan, renowned newscaster Sarkar Kabir Uddin, valiant Freedom Fighter Harun Chowdhury, Counsellor of the Embassy Arifa Rahman Ruma and General Secretary of Washington Metro Awami League Shafiqul Azam Azad spoke at the seminar, among others. Also read: Fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will be brought back soon: Kamal The Prime Minister's Energy Adviser earlier inaugurated a 17-day long photo exhibition on the life and works of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Auditorium, said a media release on Tuesday. The Embassy chalked out elaborate programs to pay deepest homage to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all time who was brutally assassinated along with most of his family members on the fateful night of August 15 in 1975. The day’s programs began in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by Ambassador Shahidul Islam. The national anthem was played at this time. Later, the Ambassador accompanied by the Embassy officers, placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at the Bangabandhu Corner. Messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister were read out by Defence Attaché Brig Gen Md Shahedul Islam, Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain, Minister (Political-I) Dewan Ali Ashraf and Minister (Political-II) Md Rashedujjaman. Counsellor Mohammad Moniruzzaman and Counsellor and Head of Chancery Md Mahmudul Islam conducted the programs in the afternoon and morning respectively.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has questioned the position of the United States as it talks about humanity pointing out that the country has been sheltering convicted killer Rashed Chowdhury instead of handing him over to Bangladesh. He said the US talks about “law and humanity” but they sheltered the killer (Rashed Chowdhury) of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which is not justified. The Foreign Minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after an event at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on Saturday. Asked about any counter-action on the US, Dr Momen said they are not thinking in such a way and that is not the mentality of Bangladesh. He said Bangladesh does not believe in blame games but wants to work together. "We want to work together.” Dr Momen said they are discussing internally about the next course of action. “We’ll sit together soon to decide to move ahead.” He said the Rabid Action Battalion (RAB) has been successful in addressing human trafficking, crime and drug trafficking in the country. Earlier, Dr Momen, during a telephone conversation, conveyed to US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken that the people of Bangladesh did neither accept nor like the designated sanctions imposed on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its some of the present and former officials. Read: Bangladesh to continue urging US to send back killer Rashed Chy: Shahriar “I shared the spirit of the country’s people. They (people of Bangladesh) didn’t accept it. They didn’t like it,” he told reporters at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy recently while responding to a question on his recent telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State. US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said Secretary Blinken reaffirmed their long-standing partnership with Bangladesh on development, economic growth, and security. "The two leaders discussed the importance of human rights and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address shared global challenges," said the Spokesperson. Dr Momen explained why the people of the country did not accept it, noting that the two countries have around 50 years of trusted friendship.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Sunday said Bangladesh will continuously urge the US Administration to send back Bangabandhu's killer Rashed Chowdhury to execute the court verdict.