Dhaka to send formal letter to Delhi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called upon India to hand over to the Bangladesh government former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both fugitives who were sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal on Monday for crimes against humanity.

The statement was issued soon after the delivery of the verdict against them.

The Bangladesh foreign ministry said under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries, doing so was also an obligatory responsibility for India.

India said it had noted the verdict announced by the "International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh" concerning former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end," said a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry of India after the verdict.

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said, "Granting asylum to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would constitute an extremely unfriendly behaviour and a blatant disregard for justice."

The statement further said, "We call upon the Government of India to immediately hand over these two convicted individuals to the authorities in Bangladesh. Under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries, doing so is also an obligatory responsibility for India."

Meanwhile talking to reporters at the foreign ministry, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said that the ministry would send a formal note verbal by Tuesday seeking extradition of Hasina and Kamal.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com