Bangladesh has submitted a formal request to India to extradite its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi in August amid student-led protests that ended her 15 years in power, according to the country’s foreign affairs adviser.
Ties between the south Asian neighbours, who have strong trade and cultural links, have become fraught since Hasina was ousted after violent protests against her rule, and she took refuge across the border.
Dhaka’s request to New Delhi came two weeks after India’s foreign secretary visited Bangladesh and the two countries said they hoped to clear the clouds and pursue constructive relations.
“We sent a note verbale to the Indian government saying that the Bangladesh government wants [Hasina] back here for judicial process,” Touhid Hossain told reporters, referring to diplomatic correspondence between the two countries.
Hossain did not elaborate on the judicial process.
Neither India’s foreign ministry nor Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, immediately responded to requests for comment.
“We confirm that we have received a note verbale from the Bangladesh high commission today in connection with an extradition request. At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” the official spokesperson of India’s ministry of external affairs said.
The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has demanded that India send Hasina back so that Bangladesh can try her for what it says are crimes against protesters and her opponents, and crimes she is accused of committing during her tenure over the past 15 years.
Yunus is also upset with Hasina for criticising his administration from New Delhi.
Hasina faces numerous charges including crimes against humanity, genocide and murder, among others. She denies the charges.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, visited Dhaka this month and reiterated India’s commitment to pursuing a constructive relationship with Bangladesh.
New Delhi has said that Hasina came to India at short notice for “safety reasons” and continues to remain, without elaborating.
