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Published : 12 Jul 2026, 04:28 PM
Sheikh Hasina will not have the opportunity to surrender if she is returned from India under the extradition treaty, says Aminul Islam, the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal.
He said, “Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile, under the control of the Indian government. She will not be able to return to the country freely as an ordinary citizen at her whim.
“If she wants to come, she will have to come through the diplomatic and legal processes of the Bangladesh and Indian governments. And, in that case, she will be arrested as soon as she sets foot in the country.”
He made the remarks while talking to reporters at his office on Sunday.
Former prime minister Hasina, who fled to India in the face of a mass uprising, was sentenced to death by a tribunal for crimes against humanity. In a recent interview, she told international newswire service Reuters that she plans to return to the country by December and surrender toa court.
In a nearly hour-long telephone interview on Thursday night, Hasina said that she would return to Bangladesh alongside other senior Awami League leaders in exile and surrender to the court.
Asked about this, the chief prosecutor said: “Sheikh Hasina made this statement to destabilise the country through her leaders and activists. Instead, the government is trying to bring her back to the country diplomatically.”
Responding to a question about whether there is any possibility of bail for a death row convict, Aminul said: “There is no provision in the law for bail for a death row convict. Therefore, Sheikh Hasina will be arrested as soon as she returns to the country.”
Stating that Hasina has lost her right to appeal by not taking action within the stipulated time, the chief prosecutor said: “Sheikh Hasina has lost her right to appeal under the Tribunal Act by not surrendering within 30 days of the verdict.”
Regarding the confiscation of Hasina’s assets, he said: “Since the tribunal’s verdict ordered the confiscation of her assets, Sheikh Hasina does not have the right to enjoy any of the country’s assets before the appeal is resolved.”
Giving updates on other cases pending at the tribunal, the chief prosecutor said that the investigation into the case of the killings that took place at the Hifazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on May 5, 2013, has been completed. The formal investigation report will be submitted to the tribunal on Jul 21.
He added that investigation work on the 10 main cases pending in the tribunal, including over the crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Uprising, is now in its final stages. Aminul said the reports will be submitted to the court soon.
Regarding other allegations during the Awami League regime, he said: “The allegations committed under the Awami League regime, including the murder of Sarbohara Party leader Siraj Sikder in 1975, are also under investigation.”
