Says 30-day appeal window has expired; questions whether Awami League vested interests are using her as a ‘trump card’
Sheikh Hasina has no legal option left but to face execution of her death sentence, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Md Aminul Islam said today.
“If she genuinely wanted to return to Bangladesh, she would have come back while the trial was ongoing and faced the case. She would also have returned within 30 days of the publication of the verdict to file an appeal,” he told journalists at the tribunal.
Hasina, the ousted prime minister, was sentenced to death in a crimes against humanity case.
Aminul also questioned whether vested interests within the Awami League were using Hasina as a “trump card” to create political instability in Bangladesh.
Asked about reports that a London-based legal chamber had approached the government seeking a passport or travel document for Hasina, who is currently in India, the chief prosecutor said there was no legal scope for issuing such a document to someone sentenced to death.
Citing the Bangladesh Passport Order, 1973, he said Articles 6 and 7 restrict passport issuance to convicted persons, particularly those sentenced to at least two years' imprisonment for offences involving moral turpitude. Crimes against humanity fall within this category, he added.
Aminul also questioned the legitimacy of the reported application, saying it had not been submitted by Hasina herself and that no publicly disclosed legal agreement existed between her and the law chamber.
“If she genuinely wants to return, she should make a written request to the Indian government seeking her return under the extradition treaty,” he said.
The chief prosecutor also dismissed arguments that Hasina could invoke her constitutional right as a citizen to enter Bangladesh to avoid the consequences of her conviction.
He further rejected claims on social media that a separate hearing or High Court confirmation was required before executing a death sentence, while declining to comment further on the pending appeal of another death-row convict, Abul Kalam Azad.