Interpol ‘Red Notice’ sought for Sheikh Hasina, 11 others
NN Online:
Bangladesh Police have submitted applications to Interpol seeking red notices against 12 former high-ranking officials, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with charges ranging from crimes against humanity to financial misconduct.
The National Central Bureau (NCB) of the Bangladesh Police made the requests in three separate phases, according to sources at police headquarters.
The move follows a mass uprising in July that led to the toppling of the Awami League-led government.
The list includes former Awami League General Secretary and former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former Liberation War Affairs Minister A.K.M. Mozammel Haque, former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, former Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, and former Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.
Also named are former Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid, former State Minister for Information Mohammad A. Arafat, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.
Police sources said the applications to Interpol were made following requests from the court, the state prosecution, and the investigating agency. The NCB submitted the first application on April 10 against 10 of the individuals, excluding Sheikh Hasina and Benazir Ahmed.
A separate request concerning Benazir Ahmed was made based on allegations of financial crimes, while applications against the remaining individuals included details of alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.
Officials said the move came after the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal forwarded documents to the Ministry of Home Affairs and police authorities, requesting Interpol’s assistance. Notably, a formal request to issue a red notice against Sheikh Hasina was submitted in November last year.