Bangladesh Demands Extradition of Sheikh Hasina After Death Sentence Over Crimes Against Humanity
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A Bangladeshi tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, prompting the foreign ministry in Dhaka to demand her extradition from India under a bilateral treaty. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) convicted Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal of inciting, facilitating, and failing to prevent crimes against civilians during student-led protests last year. The tribunal also sentenced Kamal to death. Bangladesh's foreign ministry has called on the Indian government to immediately hand over Hasina and Kamal, citing the extradition treaty between the two countries. The ministry stated that it would be an 'extremely unfriendly act' if any other country were to grant asylum to the convicted individuals. India's external affairs ministry responded by saying that it remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, and stability. However, it did not explicitly commit to extraditing Hasina. The tribunal's verdict is a significant development in Bangladesh's efforts to hold leaders accountable for crimes committed during the protests. The conviction and sentencing of Hasina and Kamal have been widely welcomed by Bangladeshis, who see it as a step towards justice and accountability. Hasina, who has lived in self-exile in India since fleeing Bangladesh last year, has denied the charges against her, calling the tribunal a 'kangaroo court' controlled by her political opponents. However, the tribunal's verdict has been based on extensive evidence, including recordings of phone conversations and testimony from 54 prosecution witnesses. The case has significant implications for Bangladesh's politics, particularly ahead of the general election scheduled for February 2026. The Awami League, the party led by Hasina, has been banned by the interim government under an anti-terror law, and its registration has been cancelled by the Election Commission.
