India Responds to Sheikh Hasina's Death Sentence: Committed to Bangladesh's Stability and Peace

Sheikh Hasina has been living in exile in India since fleeing Bangladesh on 5 August last year.

New Delhi:

Following a special tribunal in Bangladesh sentencing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death, India stated on Monday that it has noted the verdict and will engage constructively with all stakeholders considering peace, democracy and stability in the neighboring country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) affirmed that India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death. Her aide and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also received a death sentence on similar charges.

Hasina, who leads the Awami League, has been residing in India since August 5 last year when she fled Bangladesh amid massive protests.

"India has noted the verdict announced by the 'International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh' concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina," the MEA stated.

"As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country," it continued.

"We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end," the MEA added.

However, India did not comment on Bangladesh's request for Hasina's extradition.

Following the verdict, Bangladesh's foreign ministry called for Hasina's immediate handover under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.

"This is also a duty for India, as per the extradition treaty existing between the two countries," the ministry stated.

In response to the judgment, Hasina claimed the verdict came from a "rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate".

"They are biased and politically motivated. In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh's last elected prime minister, and to nullify the Awami League as a political force," she declared in a statement.

Hasina expressed willingness to face her "accusers" in a proper tribunal where evidence can be fairly evaluated. "That is why I have repeatedly challenged the interim government to bring these charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague." The verdict comes months before parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

Hasina's Awami League party has been barred from participating in the elections scheduled for February.