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The foreign ministry has said there is no updated information regarding the issuance of a red notice by Interpol for the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial.
During the ministry's weekly briefing on Monday, spokesperson Rafiqul Alam responded to media inquiries, saying: “I do not have updated information on the red notice matter.”
Hasina has been residing in India since fleeing there on Aug 5, following massive public protests.
While several senior leaders of her party, the Awami League, have been arrested, most remain in hiding.
In the wake of the student movement and subsequent crackdown, charges have been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal, or ICT, accusing Hasina and others of crimes against humanity, including “genocide”, in relation to the government’s actions during the protests.
The interim government has started the trial process for these charges.
Between Jul 5 and Aug 5, a number of allegations related to “genocide and crimes against humanity” were submitted to the tribunal’s investigation agency and prosecution office during the student-led mass movements across Bangladesh.
Among these, arrest warrants have been issued by the tribunal for Hasina, her family members, and senior Awami League leaders in two cases.
On Dec 23, Bangladesh sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, requesting Hasina’s return for trial.
However, India has yet to provide an official response, with media reports indicating that her visa has been extended.
Before sending the diplomatic note, the government and the ICT prosecution department had been discussing the possibility of issuing Interpol's red notice to facilitate Hasina’s return.
On Nov 12, the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said steps would be taken to issue the red notice after corresponding with the Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam.
However, more than two and a half months later, no red notice has been listed on the International Criminal Police Organisation or Interpol’s website.
WHAT IS AN INTERPOL RED NOTICE?
According to Interpol, a red notice is a process through which law-enforcing agencies around the world are asked to locate and temporarily detain individuals who are the subject of extradition or surrender procedures.
It is not an international arrest warrant.
The Interpol site clarified that member countries follow their own domestic laws when executing arrests based on a red notice.
These notices are intended solely for use by law-enforcing agencies and are typically shared publicly at the request of member countries.
In response to further questions on the red notice for Hasina, Rafiqul said: “A country can request a red notice through Interpol by providing details about a suspected criminal, after which the relevant country can apply for the notice. The red notice is similar to an international arrest warrant.”
BENGALURU INCIDENT, BORDER KILLING INQUIRY
Rafiqul also provided updates regarding two other incidents involving Bangladeshi nationals in India.
He confirmed that the ministry had requested information regarding the death of a Bangladeshi woman, who was allegedly raped and murdered in Bengaluru.
A body of the 28-year-old Bangladeshi woman was discovered on the banks of a lake in the Ramamurthy area of the southern Indian state.
Initial reports from police indicated that she had been raped and murdered.
The identity of the woman has not been released by the Karnataka police, although they confirmed she worked as a domestic help in an apartment building in Bengaluru.
Her family lives in the same area, and her husband works as a sanitation worker for the Bengaluru Municipal Corporation.
In response to another query, the spokesperson said the ministry was also looking into the recent incident at the Kulaura border, where a Bangladeshi national was reportedly killed.
Rafiqul said, “We are investigating the matter. From what we have gathered, it appears to be more of a family dispute. Since this incident involved border crossing, the BGB [Border Guard Bangladesh] is in talks with the Border Security Force. We do not have all the details, but our relevant wing is looking into it.”
In a separate issue, Rafiqul commented on the participation of a high-level government delegation in India’s Republic Day celebrations, calling it a normal diplomatic occurrence.
He remarked: “We have always maintained that Bangladesh hopes for good relations with all countries. There is no special reason to view this differently. At such events, it is typical for a high-level representative to attend, including the guest of honour. This is a routine diplomatic practice.”