Bangladesh police request Interpol for red notice for Sheikh Hasina, 11 others

Dhaka: The media reported on Saturday that the Bangladesh Police's National Central Bureau (NCB) had sent a request for a red notice against 12 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to Interpol.

Since August 5 of last year, Hasina, 77, has been residing in India. She left Bangladesh after a large-scale student-led demonstration overthrew her Awami League's (AL) 16-year rule.

The NCB processes such requests based on appeals from courts, public prosecutors, or investigating agencies, The Daily Star said, quoting Enamul Haque Sagor, assistant inspector general (media).

Confirming the development, Sagor said at the Police Headquarters: "These applications are filed in connection with allegations that emerge during investigations or through ongoing case proceedings."

A red notice is used by Interpol to help locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition or similar legal action. Interpol assists in tracking the whereabouts of fugitives living abroad and once confirmed, the information is shared with relevant authorities, the newspaper said.

Weeks after Muhammad Yunus took over as the Chief Adviser of the Interim government on August 8, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for “crimes against humanity and genocide”.

In November last year, the Chief Prosecutor's Office of the ICT formally asked the Police Headquarters to seek Interpol's help in arresting Hasina and others identified as fugitives.

On January 21, Bangladesh's interim government said it would continue its efforts to bring the deposed Hasina back from India and would seek international intervention if necessary.

With PTI inputs