Bangladesh’s interim government announced on Sunday its intention to seek Interpol’s help in apprehending key figures from the recently ousted regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, who was removed from office in August amid mass unrest, is accused of being responsible for violent crackdowns that resulted in the deaths of over 700 people during protests in July and August.
Speaking to the media, Asif Nazrul, the interim government’s legal advisor, stated that the government is committed to ensuring that those responsible for the bloodshed are held accountable. “We will track down and bring back those who have taken refuge abroad,” Nazrul said, emphasizing the government’s determination to arrest and prosecute the individuals involved in the violent operations.
To facilitate this, the interim government has requested Interpol to issue a “red notice” — an international alert aimed at locating and apprehending fugitives. This move is part of a broader effort to pursue former officials linked to the controversial police actions under Hasina’s 15-year rule.
The former prime minister, 77, is believed to have fled to India by helicopter just before her residence was overtaken by protesters in August. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has already issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, charging her with crimes including massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity. The ICT has summoned Hasina to appear in Dhaka on November 18.
Chief prosecutor of the ICT, Mohammad Tajul Islam, revealed that arrest warrants have been issued for over 60 individuals connected to the violent crackdowns, with around 25 already in custody.
While Interpol will coordinate the issuance of the red notice, it is important to note that the notice itself does not obligate India, as an Interpol member country, to extradite Hasina. Each country has the discretion to decide whether to comply with Interpol notices based on its own legal system.
