Return of convicted fugitive Asaduzzaman Khan sought

Bangladesh has formally requested India to return convicted fugitive and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan as part of its efforts to bring absconding accused persons back to face justice.

Speaking to journalists after a programme at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday said the request had been conveyed through diplomatic channels.

“We have recently sent the necessary letter to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking the return of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. He is a convicted fugitive under the laws of Bangladesh,” she said.

Describing the matter as an ongoing diplomatic process, the state minister said Bangladesh would continue to pursue the issue in accordance with international law and diplomatic protocols.

“This is a continuing process. We will follow international diplomatic norms and protocols to bring him back to Bangladesh so that the judicial process can be completed,” she said.

Shama said the same legal and diplomatic procedure would apply to other fugitive accused persons, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Asked whether Bangladesh had received any response from New Delhi, she said the government remained hopeful of India’s cooperation.

“We expect a positive response from the Government of India. We hope India will discharge its responsibility in the interest of strengthening bilateral relations,” she said.

She explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carries out diplomatic initiatives after receiving requests from the relevant authorities.

“The Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Home Affairs take the necessary initiatives, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proceeds with the required diplomatic actions accordingly,” she said.

Emphasising the importance of accountability, Shama Obaed Islam said bringing fugitive accused persons back to Bangladesh to face trial was a longstanding public expectation.

“The people of Bangladesh expect these fugitives to be brought back and tried.

For the families of those who lost their loved ones during the July killings, ensuring justice is extremely important, and the government is continuing that process,” she said.