Hasina to get security, legal rights if she returns

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be provided full security if she returns to Bangladesh and guaranteed all necessary legal rights if she faces judicial proceedings, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.

He also said everyone would accept the court’s verdict in her case.

The adviser made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at the weekly briefing at the Department of Information and Public Relations conference room. “Hasina has said she will return in December. I have said many times that if she comes, she will come with full security.

She will face the judicial process with fullsecurity and enjoy all her rights. Whatever is required under the judicial process will be ensured. Then, whatever decision the court makes, we will all accept it,” Zahed said.

Regarding Hasina’s extradition from India, Zahed said Bangladesh expected New Delhi to hand her over under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. “She was supposed to be extradited and brought back to Bangladesh. Bangladesh and India have an extradition treaty.

We want the return of a convict sentenced to death. We want to bring her back to the country and bring her under the law,” he said.

The adviser accused India of not cooperating with Bangladesh over Hasina’s extradition and allowing her to engage in political activities while staying there.

“Sheikh Hasina is holding various meetings in India and recently even held a press conference there. India must sincerely consider these issues in the context of its future relations with Bangladesh,” he said.

“We want to bring her back and put her on trial, but instead she is sitting there and carrying out these activities. India must sincerely consider what the future relationship with Bangladesh will look like and how it will develop,” Zahed added.

He said Bangladesh had clearly conveyed its position to India regarding Hasina’s stay in the country and her political activities from there.

On Hasina’s trial, the adviser said ensuring the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights remained the government’s position.

“We do not want to see a mafia regime like Hasina’s in this country again, and we will not allow such a regime in the future. This is not a fascist or mafia regime; this is a democratic state,” he said.