Dhaka asks Delhi to extradite Hadi's Killers and Sheikh Hasina
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Dhaka has requested Delhi to hand over ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced for crimes against humanity, and the killers of Osman Hadi, the convener of Inqilab Mancha. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman confirmed the matter to the media. He briefed journalists today (Monday) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The request was made during a courtesy meeting between Prime Minister Taique Rahman and the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Dinesh Trivedi. The Foreign Minister stated that no policy-level decision has been made yet regarding the PM Tarique's visit to India.
Khalilur Rahman said, "The issue of extraditing the convicted Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh came up. We have told them to expedite the extradition process. We hope India will move in a positive direction in this regard." He added that the suspected killers of Hadi have been apprehended. "We have provided India with all the documents they requested. This is a very sensitive issue for us. We have asked for the killers to be extradited to us as soon as possible."
Today marked the first meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, about a month and a half after the latter officially assumed his duties. The Foreign Minister said that the meeting emphasized creating a conducive environment to move bilateral relations forward.
Regarding discussions on border killings and push-ins during the meeting, Khalilur Rahman said these were discussed briefly. "These are not issues for discussion at the Prime Ministerial level. I discussed these matters with him (Dinesh K. Tripathi) yesterday."
Bangladesh had previously expressed its displeasure to India through a letter regarding Sheikh Hasina's media statements on August 5th. When asked if this matter came up in today's talks, he said, "We have clearly stated our position regarding August 5th, and the Indian authorities have accepted it. They informed me about this yesterday (Sunday), and they conveyed the same to the Prime Minister today."
In response to a question about whether India had expressed regret over Sheikh Hasina's actions on August 5th, Khalilur Rahman said, "There is no question of regret here. You have to understand what happened. A state has three pillars – the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. Hasina is convicted; her place is in the Judiciary. A court in Bangladesh has tried her and sentenced her. A convicted person is taken into custody, and if they have any statement or defense, they should make it in court."
He further said, "What Hasina did on the 5th was to spread malice against Bangladesh's Judiciary, or one of the pillars of the state. The Indian government allowed this action. I said yesterday as well, we expect all countries to be respectful towards our entire state structure, and we hope the Indian government can understand this."
Khalilur Rahman added, "I think they have understood the matter. Based on my discussions with them, I am somewhat reassured that this incident will not be repeated."
When asked when relations might normalize, he said, "Firstly, I am not an astrologer. So I cannot say which day this will happen. Secondly, the Prime Minister was not invited to BIMSTEC as a state leader, but as the 'Chairperson of BIMSTEC.' You need to try to understand this distinction. Previously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had written a letter to our Prime Minister, which was handed over on the day the government was formed, inviting him. There is another invitation, which we will consider."
When asked if the Ganga River water-sharing treaty was discussed during the Prime Minister's meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, Khalilur Rahman said, "The meeting was a purely courtesy call. In a meeting between a head of government and a High Commissioner, specific issues like treaties are generally not discussed."
