Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has said there is no longer any opportunity for ousted and fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal, to return to Bangladesh voluntarily.
“Now we want to capture her and bring her back. The death penalty awaits her,” he said.
The adviser made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions at the government’s weekly briefing on development plans and progress at the Press Information Department conference room at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Journalists asked about the government’s position on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to India and the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina’s recent activities, Zahed said her press conference and interviews with major Indian media outlets had drawn a strong reaction from the government.
He said the government had expected India to prevent such activities until the completion of the extradition process.
“We expect the Indian government to impose a bar on her in this regard. She is staying there as a fugitive. There is no clarification on whether she can enjoy these rights there. I believe this is not correct from their perspective,” Zahed said.
“We want to bring her back, and our demand for extradition is strong. There is no tactic involved in this,” he added.
The adviser questioned why the Indian government had not taken immediate steps regarding Sheikh Hasina’s media activities to help improve bilateral relations.
“I would request journalists to seek that answer,” he told reporters.
Referring to the Indian High Commissioner as a political figure whom the government views positively, Zahed urged journalists to raise the issue with him.
“We have deep sensitivity regarding Sheikh Hasina. They should understand how irritating and angering it is for us to see Sheikh Hasina speaking to the media,” he said.
He said India should clarify whether it considers such developments positive for bilateral ties.
“We talk about improving relations and send positive signals, but at the same time, actions are taken that make the outcome negative,” the adviser said.
Zahed also referred to the government’s protest note issued after Sheikh Hasina’s press conference, saying it highlighted the need to create an environment of trust between the two countries.
“We must be convinced that they genuinely want to engage with us sufficiently,” he said.
