DHAKA: Bangladesh Police have formally requested Interpol to issue a red corner notice against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others over allegations of conspiracy to overthrow the interim government. The request marks a significant development in ongoing legal proceedings tied to the political unrest that led to Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
Hasina left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following a massive student-led uprising that ended her 16-year tenure. She is currently believed to be residing in India. Authorities allege she played a central role in orchestrating civil unrest aimed at destabilising the interim administration led by economist and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The red corner notice request, part of an expanded investigation, is intended to facilitate the identification, location, and potential arrest of the accused individuals through international cooperation. If approved, the notice would enable Interpol member states to provisionally detain Hasina pending extradition or further legal action.
Enamul Haque Sagor, Assistant Inspector General (Media) at Police Headquarters, confirmed the submission, stating that the request follows evidence gathered during an active investigation. “These applications are filed in connection with allegations that surface during investigations or through proceedings already underway,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
Hasina faces a series of serious charges, including mass murder, corruption, and crimes against humanity. In total, she and 72 others are accused in a wide-ranging case that alleges a coordinated attempt to incite violence and undermine the transitional government.
The Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the International Crimes Tribunal had earlier, in November 2024, urged Bangladesh Police to seek Interpol’s assistance in detaining those classified as fugitives. The move underscores the government’s intent to pursue legal accountability for those linked to the previous regime.
Since Hasina’s departure, several former ministers and senior party leaders have either been detained or have fled the country. The crackdown follows widespread allegations of human rights violations and abuse of power under the former administration.
This latest request signals a renewed push by Bangladeshi authorities to bring former officials to justice, amid ongoing political turbulence and efforts to stabilize the nation’s governance.
