Bangladesh: India Violates Extradition Treaty Because Former PM Hasina Has Not Been Deported

JAKARTA - Bangladesh considers India to have violated the extradition treaty for failing to deport former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled.

Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Affairs of the Bangladeshi Parliament, said his government had written an official letter to India requesting Hasina's extradition.

"If India does not deport it, it will be a clear violation of the extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India," Nazrul told reporters in Dhaka.

Hasiman fled to India on August 5, 2023 after a wave of student protests toppled the Awami League (AL) regime he leads. He faces charges of mass killings and forced disappearances in Bangladeshi courts.

India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in 2013 stating that deportation was carried out if there was an official request.

Nazrul said Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry would decide how to deal with the situation.

Bangladesh, he said, had asked the Interpol to issue a red warning against Hasina.

"We will make every effort to bring him back to face legal action," Nazrul said.

India has not yet responded to Bangladesh's official request to repatriate Hasina.

Bangladesh's International Crime Court, which was founded when Hasina ordered, issued two arrest warrants against her on suspicion of involvement in mass killings and forced disappearances.

The court also ordered authorities to present Hasina in court before February 12.

A report from the Investigative Commission on the Disappearance of Force, which was formed under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, found evidence of Hasina's role as "the one who ordered" the forced disappearance during her 15-year reign.

However, Hasina has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Nazrul also said all lawsuits under the Digital Security Act (DSA), which were passed when Hesana ordered, would be withdrawn in February this year.

"All cases under the law will be revoked," he said.

He said all politically motivated fictitious cases across Bangladesh would also be canceled.