Senior advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has said he will demand the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of India. Sheikh Hasina had fled to India after the fall of the Awami League government in August this year and currently lives here. Yunus made this statement in a televised message to the people of the country marking the completion of 100 days of the interim government of Bangladesh.
Muhammad Yunus declared: ‘We will ensure justice for every murder committed during the July-August Revolution. “Efforts to prosecute those responsible are progressing well and we will demand the return of Hasina from India to hold her accountable.” The Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina was overthrown on August 5 after the student movement against discrimination in the job quota system turned into a major mass rebellion.
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The army had taken over governance of the country until alternative arrangements were reached and had asked Sheikh Hasina to leave the country. After this, Hasina arrived in India on the evening of August 5. Three days later, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as senior advisor to the interim government.
Muhammad Yunus’ recent comments come a week after his interim government said it would seek Interpol’s help in bringing back the ousted prime minister and other “fugitives” from India to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity. The current government has accused Hasina and her party leaders of ordering a brutal crackdown on the student movement against discrimination, which led to several deaths during the protests.
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What began as student-led protests later turned into a massive nationwide revolt, forcing Hasina to secretly flee the country and take refuge in India. According to Bangladesh’s interim government, at least 753 people were killed and thousands injured during the protests, which it called “crimes against humanity and genocide.” More than 60 cases of crimes against humanity and genocide have been registered against Hasina and her party leaders.
Bangladesh legal affairs advisor Asif Nazrul had said last week: “A red notice will be issued through Interpol very soon.” No matter where in the world these fugitive fascists are hiding, they will be brought back and held accountable in a court of law for their crimes.
