The government is preparing to send a letter to India seeking the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who have been sentenced to death in a case involving crimes against humanity. The letter is currently being drafted, but a copy of the verdict will not be included.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain shared the information while speaking to a group of journalists at the ministry on Tuesday (18 November) night.
“The letter seeking the return of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan has not been sent to India yet. However, the drafting process is underway, and it may be sent today. The communication will be issued in the form of a note verbale (a formal diplomatic note),” the adviser said.
Touhid Hossain added that the foreign ministry will not send a copy of the court verdict to India. Instead, the diplomatic note will mention the verdict and request the handover of Sheikh Hasina.
On Monday (17 November), the International Crimes Tribunal handed down death sentences to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan after finding them guilty in a case related to crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.
Following the verdict, the Foreign Affairs Adviser had earlier said that the letter requesting their return would be sent either Monday night or Tuesday morning.
Sheikh Hasina’s government fell on 5 August last year, after which she took shelter in India. The interim government had previously sent a letter to India seeking her extradition, but no response was received.