Hasina could be arrested before formal surrender if she returns: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina could be arrested before formally surrendering if necessary, stressing that any legal action against her would be carried out strictly in accordance with Bangladesh's laws if she returns to the country.

Speaking to reporters after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony organised by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the minister said the government was already pursuing efforts through the foreign ministry regarding Hasina's extradition.

Responding to questions about Hasina's recent remarks in interviews that she plans to return to Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman said every Bangladeshi citizen, including a convicted person or even a death-row inmate, has the right to return to the country and surrender before the law.

"Even if someone is a death row convict, if they are a Bangladeshi citizen and wish to return and surrender before the law, they have that right. However, they may be arrested before surrender if necessary," he said.

He added that once Hasina comes under Bangladesh's legal jurisdiction, authorities will exercise the powers granted to them by law and the legal process will proceed in its normal course.

"How she returns is her concern, not ours. Once she enters our jurisdiction, we will apply the law as authorised. We will not do anything outside the law. The law will take its own course," the minister said, responding to a question about how Hasina could return without a passport.