Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Md Aminul Islam has stated that there is no legal scope for the Bangladesh government to issue a passport to Sheikh Hasina, the fugitive former prime minister who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. He made this remark during a briefing at the tribunal premises on Tuesday afternoon.

The Chief Prosecutor said his office has also provided advice on what Sheikh Hasina must do if she genuinely wishes to return to the country. "If she truly wants to come back, they (the Chief Prosecutor's office) have provided recommendations," he said.

Passport Application and Legal Reality

Earlier, Reuters reported that a letter had been sent to the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi requesting a new passport and national identity card on behalf of Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India. Prothom Alo learned from diplomatic sources that the Bangladesh High Commission had received an email regarding this matter. However, the source stated that the email did not include Sheikh Hasina's authorization letter.

According to police headquarters records, a total of 673 cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, including 457 on charges of murder. Among these, she has been sentenced to death in one case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. Six additional cases against her are pending trial at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Government Stance: No Extradition Complications

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Chief Adviser Jahid Ur Rahman said the government does not foresee any complications under extradition law since Sheikh Hasina herself wishes to return. He made these remarks in response to journalists' questions during a regular press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

"We want to extradite her. We want to bring her back...

Now she herself wants to come. That means there is no complication in the extradition law," Jahid Ur Rahman said.

He also confirmed that the High Commission had received the email regarding Sheikh Hasina's new passport and had forwarded it to Dhaka.

Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since the fall of the Awami League government during the July mass uprising on August 5, 2024. The cases and death sentence against her have come under renewed focus in the context of the new passport application.