India will be asked for Hasina's return once trial begins: Asif Nazrul

Criminal complaints against the former prime minister continue to mount at the ICT, but no trial proceedings have commenced

Law Advisor Asif Nazrul has said India will be formally asked to extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh once the trial process begins.

At a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday evening, he said the government will soon update press through the law ministry on the steps taken to address the ‘genocide and crimes against humanity’ committed during the student-led revolution.

"Investigative and prosecution teams have been formed, and discussions are ongoing to restructure the courts. You will see trials begin soon," he said following a meeting led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus with the heads of six reform commissions.

Hasina fled to India on Aug 5 following intense protests against her government. Since then, over 150 cases have been filed against her. Though multiple criminal allegations have been submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal, no trials have started.

"Once the trial process begins, we will formally seek her extradition," he added.

Nazrul added Bangladesh has a prisoner extradition agreement with India, which allows for the return of convicted individuals regardless of their status, including former prime ministers.

The interim government, however, remains unaware of Hasina's current immigration status in India.

On Sept 17, Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain said Dhaka had not received official communication regarding Hasina’s legal status in India.

When asked by reporters, Touhid said: "No, we don’t have any official knowledge. What their foreign minister told us was that she arrived and was given shelter very quickly."