Bangladesh Tribunal Takes Legal Action Against Former PM Hasina, Requests Interpol Arrest

DHAKA, Bangladesh — A special tribunal in Bangladesh has requested Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is accused of responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of protesters during a mass uprising against her government.

Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years, fled to India on August 5 along with close aides and former ministers, ending her tenure as prime minister.

Following Hasina’s departure, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of interim leader on August 8 and reconstituted the tribunal, which had previously handled charges related to crimes against humanity from the 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Prosecutor B.M. Sultan Mahmud confirmed that a request was sent to Interpol, through Bangladesh’s police chief, seeking help from the global police organization to arrest Hasina and others involved.

The Yunus-led government has pledged to prosecute Hasina for her alleged role in the deaths and promised to seek her extradition from India.