New Delhi: Deposed Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed has criticised the Muhammad Yunus-led government after they sent a formal request to India to extradite her to face judicial process. Wazed accused the present Bangladeshi dispensation of conducting what he described as a “farcical trial process” under the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The charges against Hasina include alleged crimes against humanity, with the ICT issuing arrest warrants for her and several close aides.
In a post on social media platform X, Wazed denounced the ICT proceedings as a “political witch hunt” that undermines justice and persecutes Awami League leadership. He also accused the regime of weaponising the judiciary and orchestrating human rights violations against party members.
Bangladesh’s formal request to India
“The kangaroo tribunal and subsequent request for extradition comes while hundreds of leaders and activists are extrajudicially killed, framing of outrageous murder charges, illegal incarceration of thousands by law enforcement and violent attacks including looting vandalism and arson going on with impunity everyday fuelled by denial of the regime,” his post read.
Bangladesh on Monday formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who has been in New Delhi since August following student-led protests that resulted in her ousting after 15 years in power. Touhid Hossain, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser while confirmed the development said, “We have informed India about our request to bring her back for the judicial process.”
India’s foreign ministry has said they had no comments on Sheikh Hasina’s extradition ‘at this time’. “We confirm that we have received a note verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission today in connection with an extradition request. At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter,” an NDTV report quoted the ministry as saying.
Wazed also criticises ICT chief prosecutor
Sajeeb Wazed criticised the ICT chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, who he claimed was appointed by the Yunus-led regime despite defending individuals accused of war crimes in the past. “On December 22, the chief prosecutor of ICT Tribunal Tajul Islam appointed by Yunus regime despite proven records of defending war criminals reportedly spread deliberate disinformation campaign against honourable party president Sheikh Hasina as he claimed Interpol issued red notice against her, a desperate bid to extradite her and hold farcical trial to serve the interest of Dr Yunus. But the very prosecutor later altered his statement following media exposure of the outright lie and now officially sent request to India for the extradition,” his post further read.
Wazed also expressed his skepticism over the judiciary’s independence under the Yunus-led regime, calling for an independent investigation into human rights violations that occurred between July and August. “We reiterate our position that every single incident of human rights violation between July and August need to be investigated in a free and fair manner but the Yunus led regime weaponised the judiciary, and we express no confidence on the justice system,” he wrote.
