BD Govt may seek global support to bring back Hasina if needed: Foreign adviser
Dhaka : The government may seek international cooperation, if necessary, to bring ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India, back to Bangladesh to face trial, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (4 August).
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a seminar hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the one-year anniversary of the July Revolution.
Replying to a question if the government planned to seek international assistance in the matter, he said, “If the government ever feels the need, such steps can certainly be taken. But at this moment, I don’t see that necessity.”
In response to a question about ongoing diplomatic efforts on the anniversary of the July Uprising, the adviser said, “We have never concealed our intention. We want her repatriation so that she can face trial.”
“So far, we haven’t received a positive response from India. We’re still waiting. The trial process, however, has already begun. It will continue regardless of whether the accused is present,” he added.
The trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August uprising of 2024 began yesterday (3 August) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) with witness depositions.
The witness testimony began yesterday(3 August) with opening statements from Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam, who sought the highest punishment for the accused.
On 10 July, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 ordered the start of the trial proceedings against three individuals, Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, on charges related to instigating and directing violence that allegedly resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people.
Of the three accused, Hasina and Kamal are currently absconding. Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun is in custody and is testifying as a state witness on the condition of full disclosure of the events under investigation.
