Come back to face justice if you have courage: AG to Hasina

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh to face trial at the International Criminal Tribunal if she has the courage.

"If you have the courage, come back to Bangladesh and face justice in the court,” the attorney general said on Sunday referring to Sheikh Hasina's own words.

He was talking to reporters after the Supreme Court revived the authority of the Supreme Judicial Council to remove judges and dismissed the state's petition against a ruling that declared the 16th amendment to the Constitution illegal.

He hoped that the former prime minister would remain true to her convictions, emphasising that it would be in her best interest to return and stand trial.

Regarding Hasina’s possible extradition, Asaduzzaman explained that if Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with the country currently providing her refuge, she could be returned under that agreement, as an arrest warrant has been issued against her.

He also mentioned that assistance from Interpol might be sought, depending on the legal provisions of her host country, noting that the situation should be addressed at the state level.

On October 17, the International Criminal Tribunal issued warrants for the arrest of Hasina and 45 others, including Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on two counts of crimes, including mass killings and the suppression of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

They have been ordered to appear in court by November 18.

This development marks the beginning of trials over the "massacres" during the student-led uprising in July and August that led to the fall of the Awami League government.

Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position as prime minister and fled to India on August 5, ending the Awami League's 15-year rule.