Passports of Hasina, 96 others revoked over enforced disappearances, killings

The government of India is also aware that her passport has been cancelled, an official says

The Chief Advisor’s Office, or CAO, has revoked the passports of 97 people, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the “enforced disappearances” during the Awami League regime and killings during the July uprising.

At a briefing at Dhaka’s Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday, the chief advisor’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said the passport office had cancelled the passports of 22 people involved in "enforced disappearances and murders”.

"In addition, the passports of 75 such people involved in or accused of the July killings have been revoked. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is one of them," he added.

Asked whether India has been informed about the revocation of Hasina's passport, Azad said: "The Indian government is also aware that her passport has been cancelled and they have already reported that she has been issued a travel document.”

Asked who were the others among the 75, he said the names of the rest could not be disclosed at the moment.

Hasina fled to India on Aug 5 in the face of a student-led uprising, drawing an end to the 15-year rule of Awami League.

More than 100 cases have been filed against Hasina and her government's ministers, MPs, and the top Awami League leaders for killings intended to curb the movement.

The International Crimes Tribunal, or ICT, has issued an arrest warrant against Hasina on charges of genocide and enforced disappearance.

The Bangladesh government has already sent a letter to India seeking Hasina's return to face trial. The Indian government has yet to officially respond to the letter.