Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to New Delhi in August amid student-led protests that ended 15 years in power, the country's diplomatic adviser said. .
Relations between the South Asian neighbors, who have strong trade and cultural ties, have soured since Hasina was ousted following violent protests against her rule and fled across the border.
Dhaka's request to New Delhi comes two weeks after India's foreign minister visited Bangladesh, saying both countries wanted to clear the clouds and pursue constructive relations.
“We have verbally written to the Indian government to convey what the Bangladeshi government wants. [Hasina] We will come back here for judicial proceedings,” Tuhid Hossain told reporters, referring to diplomatic documents between the two countries.
Hossain did not elaborate on the judicial process.
Neither India's Ministry of External Affairs nor Hasina's son Sajeev Wazed responded to requests for comment.
“We can confirm that we have today received a letter from the Bangladesh High Commission in connection with the extradition request. We have no comment on this matter at this time,” said an official spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. said.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, said India would repatriate Hasina and that Bangladesh would commit crimes against demonstrators and their opponents, as well as crimes allegedly committed by Hasina while she was president. They demanded that they be allowed to stand trial for their crimes. Past 15 years.
Yunus is also angry with Hasina for criticizing the government from New Delhi.
Hasina faces numerous charges including crimes against humanity, genocide and murder. She denies the charges.
Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri visited Dhaka this month and reiterated India's determination to pursue constructive relations with Bangladesh.
New Delhi said Hasina arrived in India on short notice for “security reasons” and is currently staying there, without providing further details.
