Dhaka has issued an arrest warrant for 77-year-old Sheikh Hasina, who remains in exile in neighboring India after fleeing the country by helicopter during a time of intense unrest. Hasina is being charged with multiple crimes, including massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity, and has been summoned to appear in court in Dhaka on Monday.
Hasina’s sudden departure came after protests led to crowds storming her palace. Yunus, the leader of the interim government, has stated that his administration is dedicated to holding accountable those responsible for the violent crackdown on protests, which ultimately resulted in Hasina’s ousting. Several former ministers from Hasina’s government, currently in custody, are also expected to face similar charges.
Yunus, who was appointed as the chief advisor of the interim government on August 9, also revealed that efforts have begun to prosecute those responsible for enforced disappearances, murders, and mass killings during the July-August uprising. Speaking on the 100-day mark of his leadership, Yunus disclosed that he had been in discussions with Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We will seek Hasina’s extradition from India,” Yunus said, referring to the ousted leader. Bangladesh also announced plans to request an Interpol “red notice” for Hasina and other fugitive leaders from her regime. While a red notice alerts global law enforcement, it does not obligate India to extradite Hasina, as each country has its own legal framework.
As Yunus works to restore democratic institutions and reforms, he emphasized the need for patience from the public, with no specific timeline set for elections. Experts, including Thomas Kean of the Crisis Group, have highlighted the challenges facing Yunus, warning that failure to make progress on reforms could result in an early election with minimal change, or even a potential military intervention.
