ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, Bangladeshi authorities have formally requested Interpol to issue Red Notices for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 other individuals, intensifying efforts to bring them before the country’s justice system.
The request, submitted by Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau (NCB), follows a formal application made by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), according to senior police officials. The tribunal’s chief prosecutor initially sought Interpol’s assistance in November of last year.
“The request for Red Notices is based on valid court orders and supporting evidence,” a senior police official said during a press briefing in Dhaka on Monday. “Sheikh Hasina and the others have been officially declared fugitives, and we are now seeking international cooperation for their apprehension.”
Sheikh Hasina is reportedly residing in India after leaving Bangladesh amid ongoing political unrest. Indian authorities have not publicly commented on her current status or potential extradition.
Red Notices, issued by Interpol at the request of member countries, serve as international alerts to locate and provisionally arrest individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. While widely recognized, they are not equivalent to international arrest warrants and enforcement depends on local laws in the country where the individual is located.
The International Crimes Tribunal, originally established to prosecute those involved in war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War, has since broadened its scope. Authorities indicated that the Interpol request includes comprehensive documentation of the charges against the former prime minister and her associates, although specific details were not disclosed at the briefing.
Government officials insist that the move is in line with legal protocols, but opposition leaders have condemned it as a politically motivated campaign targeting former administration figures. The current government has ramped up legal action against several former officials since assuming power.
Interpol has not yet commented publicly on the request. The organization typically reviews all applications against its constitution, which bars involvement in matters of a political, military, religious, or racial nature.
As the situation develops, international attention is likely to grow, particularly given the political sensitivities surrounding the case and the potential implications for regional diplomatic relations.
