Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday expressed optimism that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would return home one day to face the trial as emerging evidence will help build pressure on her extradition.
“We think the more these things (evidence based news) come to light, the more pressure will be put on her… We hope that one day or another she will come back and face the trial,” Shafiqul told reporters at the Secretariat while responding to a question.
He briefed the media on the outcome of the Council of Adviser’s meeting held at the Secretariat with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
Alam said one of their biggest efforts is to bring her back and face trial. “We want her to get justice for the charges against her. We want that. It is one of the highest priorities of this current government.”
He referred to the Al Jazeera documentary and the BBC report and noted that it is clear what her role was. “She was ordering how to use lethal weapons to kill these protesters. These things are now known to the whole world.”
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh is yet to receive any positive response from India regarding its request for Hasina’s extradition to face trial at home.
“There is no new information on this. Bangladesh has asked India to return Sheikh Hasina to face trial. There has been no positive response from India yet,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.
Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of massive student-led protests. Adviser Hossain said Bangladesh is waiting for a response from New Delhi.
He said Hasina’s trial has already begun and whether someone comes or not, the trial does not stop.
Responding to a question on whether the government will seek international assistance to bring Hasina back to the country, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said the government can seek assistance if it deems it necessary. “However, I do not see any need at the moment.”
Last month, the Foreign Adviser said the government would continue to pursue the extradition of former Prime Minister Hasina, currently reported to be in India since August 5 last year.
Bangladesh sent a diplomatic note (note verbale) to India in December last year, along with a set of supporting documents, formally requesting Hasina’s extradition.
