India has received a note verbale from Bangladesh regarding an extradition request for Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of the neighboring country currently governed by a caretaker administration, according to sources.
“We can confirm that a note verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission was received today concerning an extradition request. At this moment, we have no further comments on the issue,” stated a source.
A note verbale is defined as an unsigned diplomatic communication conveyed in the third person.
Earlier today, Bangladesh’s acting Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain expressed that Dhaka seeks the return of Ms. Hasina to face legal proceedings. “We have communicated through a note verbale to the Indian government indicating that Bangladesh desires her return for the judicial process,” Mr. Hossain informed reporters in Dhaka.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has refrained from commenting on the situation.
Ms. Hasina, aged 77, departed her country on August 5 following widespread protests that led to the end of her 16-year rule.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants for Ms. Hasina, along with former ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials, for alleged “crimes against humanity and genocide.”
Bangladesh’s Home Adviser Jahangir Alam confirmed that his office has sent a letter to the MEA requesting permission for Ms. Hasina’s extradition from India.
“We have submitted a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently in progress,” he stated in response to inquiries.
Mr. Alam noted that an extradition treaty exists between Dhaka and New Delhi, which could facilitate Ms. Hasina’s return to Bangladesh.
