Bangladesh Seeks Interpol Red Notice Against Former PM Sheikh Hasina and 11 Others In a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s political and legal landscape, the National Central Bureau (NCB) of the Bangladesh Police has formally requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against 12 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as part of ongoing investigations into alleged crimes against humanity. The move was confirmed by Enamul Haque Sagor, Assistant Inspector General (Media) at Police Headquarters, who stated that the NCB processes such applications based on formal appeals received from courts, investigating authorities, or the office of the public prosecutor. “These applications are filed in connection with serious allegations that come to light during the course of formal investigations or active legal proceedings,” said Sagor. This unprecedented step is rooted in a formal appeal made by the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in November 2024. The ICT had requested police to seek international assistance through Interpol to arrest individuals classified as fugitives in connection with alleged atrocities during the political unrest in mid-2024. Among those named is Sheikh Hasina, who reportedly left the country in August 2024 following widespread protests and political upheaval. What Is an Interpol Red Notice? A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but a powerful tool issued by Interpol to assist in locating and provisionally detaining individuals pending extradition or similar legal action. Once issued, it facilitates cooperation between international police forces to track suspects believed to be residing outside their country of origin. If Interpol accepts Bangladesh’s request, Hasina and others will be listed on its public database, enabling countries across the world to detain them upon identification. However, as of April 2025, no official Red Notice for Sheikh Hasina has appeared on Interpol’s public records, suggesting that the application is either under review or has not yet been processed. Serious Allegations and Ongoing Controversy According to reports from Bangladesh Post and Dhaka Tribune, Sheikh Hasina faces over 230 cases involving charges of murder, abuse of power, corruption, and crimes against humanity — mostly filed after her departure from office and exile in India. Authorities claim the charges stem from her administration’s alleged actions during a violent crackdown on opposition movements and civil unrest in 2024. In parallel developments, British MP Tulip Siddiq, Hasina’s niece, has also been named in an arrest warrant issued by a Dhaka court. She is accused of accepting a plot of land under questionable circumstances during her aunt’s tenure as Prime Minister. Siddiq has publicly condemned the charges as part of a “politically motivated smear campaign.” “This is a blatant attempt to silence dissent and rewrite history,” she said in a statement issued in London. “I have received no direct communication or evidence from Bangladeshi authorities regarding these claims.” International Ramifications Hasina’s current residence in India complicates the matter, particularly since extradition proceedings are politically sensitive and subject to bilateral agreements. Additionally, Bangladesh does not have a formal extradition treaty with the United Kingdom, posing a challenge to any legal moves against Siddiq. The request for Interpol intervention signals the government’s intent to take a hardline approach toward those it deems responsible for past state abuses — but critics argue it reflects a deepening of political vendettas and legal overreach. Awaiting Interpol’s Response While the request to Interpol marks a significant escalation, it remains uncertain whether the organization will approve and act on the Red Notice request. Interpol is known to scrutinize politically motivated applications, and has previously rejected notices it deemed in violation of Article 3 of its constitution, which prohibits interventions of a political, military, religious, or racial character. For now, Sheikh Hasina’s future remains in legal limbo, as Bangladesh’s political saga continues to unfold with global implications.
MD.Shohag