NN Online:
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam on Thursday said Dhaka has plans to send a formal reminder if Delhi does not respond to a recent letter seeking repatriation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of crimes against humanity.
He made this disclosure during the weekly briefing. Moreover, he confirmed that the foreign affairs advisor will visit China from January 20 to 24 on a bilateral trip, which is seen as a significant opportunity to strengthen ties with Beijing. Discussions during the visit will cover trade, the Rohingya crisis, agriculture, and other bilateral issues.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Rafiqul Alam said 36 Rohingyas have recently crossed into Bangladesh. While border security forces remain on high alert, humanitarian considerations are sometimes taken into account in specific cases.
On the matter of medical treatment for those injured during the July protests, he said the foreign ministry is working to expedite visa processing for overseas treatment. So far, 11 individuals have been sent abroad for treatment, with two having already returned after recovery.
The spokesperson also mentioned that the foreign affairs advisor has sought assistance from the vice president of the European Investment Bank to recover funds laundered abroad.
In addition, he highlighted Bangladesh’s recent letter to India requesting the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina over allegations of crimes against humanity.
On December 23, a letter was sent to Delhi emphasising the need for extradition of Sheikh Hasina to face trial.
On the same day, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said during an event at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters that a formal request for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition has been sent to the foreign ministry by the home ministry. This process is currently underway, and he noted that an extradition treaty already exists between the two countries.
