Extradition request for Sheikh Hasina sent to India, Red Notice sought from Interpol: Home Minister

A proposal has been sent to the Indian government for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and an application has also been filed with Interpol for issuing a Red Notice against her. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed parliament of this in response to a question from Jamalpur-5 MP Shah Md Warez Ali Mamun on Thursday.

The Home Minister said similar steps have been taken against other fugitives, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. "Since assuming office, the current government has intensified efforts to identify, arrest and bring back fugitive accused from abroad," he said.

In this regard, the Home Minister said several accused have already been brought back to the country. Md Arif Sarkar, an accused in a murder case and subject of an Interpol Red Notice, was brought back from the United Arab Emirates on May 6. Another murder accused, Mobarak Mandal, was brought back from Qatar on May 27.

The minister also provided an update on former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. He said information was received from the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi that Benazir, who is on an Interpol Red Notice, was arrested in the UAE on June 12. Subsequently, on June 16, Bangladesh sent a formal extradition proposal through diplomatic channels to bring him back. However, as Bangladesh does not have an extradition treaty with the UAE, the country has sought cooperation under the principle of reciprocity. Accordingly, necessary documents were sent through diplomatic channels on August 4, and a law firm has been appointed through the Bangladesh embassy in Abu Dhabi for cooperation on the matter. Necessary diplomatic and legal steps are still ongoing, the minister said.

The Home Minister also said that fugitive Molla Nazrul Islam, who is on an Interpol Red Notice in a human trafficking case, was recently arrested in Libya. A formal extradition proposal was sent through diplomatic channels on March 16 to bring him back.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the government's efforts to identify, arrest and bring back other fugitive accused continue through Interpol, foreign law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh's missions abroad.