Bangladesh’s police have officially requested Interpol to issue Red Notices for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others, marking a notable development in efforts to bring them before the country’s legal authorities.
The request was made by Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau, following a formal application from the International Crimes Tribunal. The tribunal’s chief prosecutor had initially sought Interpol’s support in November.
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A senior police official explained in a press briefing on Monday that the Red Notices request is based on court orders and supporting evidence. Sheikh Hasina and the other individuals have been declared fugitives, and international assistance is being sought for their arrest.
It is believed that Sheikh Hasina is currently residing in India, where she reportedly sought refuge after leaving Bangladesh during a period of political unrest. Indian officials have not publicly addressed her status.
Red Notices are international requests for law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending their extradition or other legal actions. These notices are issued for fugitives facing prosecution or those required to serve a sentence.
The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh, which initiated the request, investigates and prosecutes crimes committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, although its jurisdiction has expanded over time.
Sources indicate that the documentation presented to Interpol contains detailed allegations against Sheikh Hasina and her associates, though the specific charges were not disclosed.
While Interpol’s Red Notices are recognized across 195 member nations, they are not considered international arrest warrants, and their execution depends on each country’s local laws.
Since the political shift in Bangladesh, the government has intensified its pursuit of legal action against officials from the previous administration. Opposing political figures argue that these efforts are politically motivated, while the government maintains that they are in line with legal procedures.
Interpol has not yet commented on the request, as it typically reviews such submissions against its constitution, which prohibits involvement in politically driven actions.
