Dhaka (Bangladesh) (AFP) - The Bangladeshi authorities on Monday called on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power, to ask India to hand her over to her country’s authorities, if she is serious about returning, as she says.
Published on: 09/11/2026 - 13:53
Bangladesh is currently studying an application to renew Sheikh Hasina's passport.
Hasina, whose rule was overthrown by a popular uprising after 15 years in power, vowed to return to Bangladesh in December, despite the fact that she was sentenced to death on charges of committing crimes against humanity in connection with the suppression of protests in 2024.
Interior Minister Salah al-Din Ahmed told reporters on Monday that the authorities were studying Hasina's request to obtain a new passport, noting that she had been convicted by a court ruling and had sought refuge abroad.
He added, "We had previously sent a letter to that country (India) requesting her extradition in accordance with legal procedures."
Hasina's British lawyers asked to renew her documents after reports emerged that her passport had been "cancelled".
Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said Hasina should surrender herself to face justice.
He added to reporters, "Tell India: Yes, there is an extradition treaty. Please extradite me. I have killed this number of people, and I am ready to face judgment. I hope that the death sentence will be carried out against me there."
Hasina fled to India, her old ally, in 2024, and has not appeared in public since then, but she participated by telephone in online press conferences.
Hasina was convicted and sentenced to death in absentia.
Her continued presence in India has strained relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, which says its extradition request is subject to legal review.
Hasina's pledge to return represents a political challenge to the government.
While many Bangladeshis want her to be punished, others fear that her return will mobilize her former supporters and spark confrontations and unrest.
© 2026 AFP
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