Former Advisor to the Interim Government, Asif Nazrul, has stated that everyone understands former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not return, adding that if the Indian government wishes, it can arrest her and hand her over to Bangladesh.
He made these remarks in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Monday (November 9).
In his Facebook post, Asif Nazrul said, "It is Sheikh Hasina's mistake that she has applied for a passport to return to Bangladesh. This implies she believes the situation is suitable for her to return and face trial. However, the problem is that she is a convicted criminal. The Bangladesh government has already written to India requesting her extradition as a convicted criminal."
He further stated, "An extradition-sought convicted criminal cannot return to the country with a new passport. She must return strictly as a convicted criminal, for which no passport is required. If the Indian government wants, it can arrest and transfer her to Bangladesh at any time."
The former advisor added, "By asking for a passport, Sheikh Hasina has only made that path easier. The Bangladesh government can now assert that because justice exists in the country, she has the courage to return. Consequently, the argument for refusing to send her back on the pretext of politically motivated trials is no longer acceptable. This creates an opportunity to press India even more strongly on the matter."
Finally, he concluded, "Sheikh Hasina, you have made a mistake. Everyone understands you will not return. You are unnecessarily increasing the plight of ordinary party activists."