Interpol Red Notice Against Sheikh Hasina Unconfirmed: Tajul Islam

Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam has stated that the International Crimes Tribunal has no information regarding the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

 

He made this remark in response to a journalist's query during a press briefing at his office on Sunday (December 22).

The Chief Prosecutor said that the tribunal has not informed whether a Red Notice has been issued against Sheikh Hasina. If a notice is issued, the NCB branch of police would know about it. The Inspector General's office would confirm if a Red Notice has indeed been issued.

 

Later, inquiries at the Police Headquarters also revealed that they have no information regarding the issuance of a Red Notice against Sheikh Hasina.

 

On August 5, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted amidst a student-led mass uprising and subsequently sought refuge in India, where she has been residing ever since. Since then, numerous cases have been filed against her and her government officials for alleged genocide, enforced disappearances, killings, and corruption spanning the past 15 years of her administration.

 

The interim government led by Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus, upon assuming office, pledged to bring Sheikh Hasina back to face justice. Following this, on November 13, the prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal requested the Inspector General of Police to take steps to issue an Interpol Red Notice for Sheikh Hasina’s arrest. Consequently, the IGP's office initiated communication with Interpol.

Previously, on November 10, Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, stated in a media briefing that the government was planning to issue Red Notices through Interpol to bring back Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives accused of the July-August genocide. He asserted that no matter where such fugitives were hiding, they would be brought to justice through Interpol's assistance.

On November 12, during a press briefing, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam declared that Sheikh Hasina was accused of genocide, enforced disappearances, and other crimes against humanity. He mentioned that as she is currently outside the country's borders, Interpol has been contacted to facilitate her arrest or issue a Red Notice against her.

It has also been reported that not only Sheikh Hasina but several other individuals, including Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Hasan Mahmud, who have fled the country and taken refuge abroad, are also under prosecution's consideration for Red Notices through Interpol.

On October 17, the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants against 46 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, in separate cases related to the alleged genocide and crimes against humanity in the July-August Movement.