New Delhi has said it will engage with all stakeholders in Dhaka after former leader Sheikh Hasina received a death sentence
Bangladesh has urged India to “immediately hand over” former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death by a court in a crimes against humanity case.
”We call on the Indian government to immediately hand over these two convicted individuals to the Bangladeshi authorities,” the country’s interim government said in a statement on Monday. “This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.”
India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in January 2013 to promote cooperation among law enforcement agencies and to curb criminal activities.
New Delhi said on Monday that it has noted the verdict. “As a close neighbor, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability in that country,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said. “We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.”
Hasina’s trial was conducted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), and the charges included murder, attempted murder, torture, and allegedly ordering the use of deadly weapons against anti-government protesters in 2024.
In an exclusive telephonic interview with RT on Monday, former Bangladesh Interior Minister Kamal called the verdict “illegal” and said the “judiciary in Bangladesh has collapsed.” While claiming the case was based on the testimony of fake witnesses, Kamal added, “Of course outside powers were involved in (last year’s) uprising. Pakistan was involved… I don’t know who backed Pakistan… maybe other forces were there also.”
The ICT was set up to try hardened collaborators of the then-ruling Pakistani forces during Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971. It was amended by the current administration to include leaders of the Hasina government under its jurisdiction.
Bangladesh’s interim administration is headed by Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus, who serves as the country’s current chief adviser. Elections are slated for next year, but Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from participating.
In his interview with RT on Monday, Kamal said his elected government was displaced by a “conspiracy.” He added, “Yunus designed this conspiracy for many years… in America Yunus told the press about this meticulous plan.”
