Bangladesh Seeks Hasina’s Extradition Through Prisoner Transfer Treaty, Says Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government has yet to verify reports that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a fugitive convicted defendant, has applied to recover her passport and National Identity Card (NID).

He said Bangladesh wants to bring her back through the prisoner transfer agreement.

Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Secretariat, Salahuddin said the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Law were examining the matter, including the legal basis of any such application and whether Hasina was legally entitled to apply.

“I have also heard the news and seen it on the news ticker that fugitive convicted defendant Sheikh Hasina has applied for her passport and NID. However, I have not yet been able to verify the authenticity of the report,” he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir said a regular passport application would not be effective in the case of fugitive criminals.

At a press conference on Monday, he said Bangladesh would seek to bring Hasina back through legal and diplomatic channels under the prisoner transfer agreement so that she could face trial in the country.

“Bangladesh does not issue passports to terrorists. Rather, we want to bring them back under the extradition treaty and ensure that their sentences are carried out,” he said.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India following the July mass uprising that led to the fall of her government.

According to a Reuters report, Hasina has applied for a new passport and National Identity Card as part of a plan to return to Bangladesh in December. She reportedly submitted the applications on Monday.