Govt mulls going to ICC to bring back Hasina, Kamal: Asif Nazrul

NN ONLINE:

The government is thinking about going to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for bringing back fugitive convicts ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India.

“We will hold a meeting soon to decide whether we can approach the International Criminal Court regarding the return of these convicted individuals,” Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Prof Dr Asif Nazrul told a press conference at Foreign Service Academy here.

The press conference was organized to brief about the decisions taken in a meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) in the city’s Tejgaon area. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting.

Prof Asif Nazrul said the government will also send a letter to India requesting the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who have been convicted in a crimes against humanity case by International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) here.
“We are sending a letter requesting the extradition of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who have been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity,” he said.

He added: “Since they are now convicted and sentenced to death, we believe India has an additional responsibility to return them in order to fulfill the Bangladeshi people’s desire for justice. We are reminding India to fulfill its obligations under the extradition agreement, and for that reason we are sending this letter.”

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present on the occasion.