Md. Aminul Islam, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, stated that with the expiry of the stipulated time for appealing against her conviction, there is no alternative but to execute former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence if she returns to the country. He also added that there is no legal scope to issue her a passport as she is a convicted fugitive.
The Chief Prosecutor made these remarks at a briefing organized at the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday (November 10) regarding requests for Sheikh Hasina’s passport and National Identity Card (NID).
Aminul Islam stated that according to law, a person sentenced to a minimum of two years cannot be issued a passport. Therefore, there is no legal opportunity for the Government of Bangladesh to issue a passport to the convicted and fugitive Sheikh Hasina.
He further commented that issuing a passport or travel pass to a convicted individual by the state or government would be tantamount to making a mockery of the judicial process.
The Chief Prosecutor noted that Sheikh Hasina did not return to the country to face trial while the case against her was ongoing at the International Crimes Tribunal. He added that she also did not file an appeal after the verdict was pronounced, and therefore, she has no legal opportunity to file an appeal in the future.
During the briefing, the Chief Prosecutor informed that a letter concerning Sheikh Hasina’s passport had been sent to the Bangladeshi embassy in India by a London-based law firm named ‘Matrix Chambers’.
He stated that Sheikh Hasina herself did not apply, nor did her party or activists. The application was made by a London-based law firm. For this reason, the Foreign Minister appropriately called the matter ridiculous.
Aminul Islam also stated that no official documents have yet been received confirming Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India. According to him, the Indian government has reportedly stated that she was given asylum there on humanitarian grounds at her request.
The Chief Prosecutor commented that if Sheikh Hasina wishes to return to Bangladesh, she must submit a written application to the Indian government. He stated that, to their knowledge, Sheikh Hasina has not yet formally applied to the Indian government to return to Bangladesh.
Aminul Islam further added that Sheikh Hasina never truly had the intention to return to Bangladesh. Had she genuinely wished to return, she would have come to the country to face trial during the case proceedings and filed an appeal within 30 days of the verdict’s pronouncement.
Addressing Sheikh Hasina, he said that if she truly wishes to return to the country, she should submit a written application to the Indian government requesting her repatriation to Bangladesh under the extradition treaty.
The Chief Prosecutor also added that while Sheikh Hasina left the country with her relatives, she left many party activists behind in Bangladesh. He remarked that engaging in such activities now should not further endanger them.
