Bangladesh has sent another official letter to the Indian government requesting the repatriation of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who were sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising.
"It (the letter) was sent the day before yesterday (Friday)," Foreign Adviser Md Touhid told reporters this evening briefly when asked whether the foreign ministry had sent any communication to India.
The adviser did not elaborate further, but an official source at the foreign ministry told BSS that the note verbale (official diplomatic letter) was sent through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
On Monday last, the International Crimes Tribunal delivered its verdict against three suspects: Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal received the death penalty, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state approver, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Following the verdict, on the same day, Touhid said Dhaka would formally send a letter to New Delhi seeking the repatriation of fugitive convicts Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
"We will officially communicate our position to India. Whether the letter goes tonight or tomorrow, it will certainly go," he told reporters.
Responding to a question, the adviser said Dhaka had earlier sent a request seeking Hasina's return but received no response. "Now the situation is different ... the judicial process has been completed and they have been convicted," he added.
Touhid said Bangladesh will place its request under the existing extradition treaty with India.
MSH
