Hasina’s remarks irrelevant, efforts underway to bring her back: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said that what former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is saying is not relevant at all, adding that efforts are underway to bring her back to the country.

“There is no lack of diplomatic efforts to bring her back to face trial, but it takes time,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She said the three ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working afresh since the formation of the new government in February this year, though the initial process began during the interim government.

The State Minister said the people of Bangladesh want Hasina extradited.

Reiterating its desire to engage constructively, India on 17 April said it is examining the request for Hasina’s extradition as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.

“The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi, noting that India will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all stakeholders.

Bangladesh on 8 April reiterated its request to extradite Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to Bangladesh, both of whom have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal.