Law adviser Asif Nazrul on Tuesday said that the government took the initiative to issue a red alert through Interpol against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is facing allegations of genocide.

He came up with the remark at a press conference at the law ministry in the secretariat in Dhaka.

He said, ‘We have sent a letter to Indian government for her extradition. If India refuses to return her, it will be a clear breach of  the treaty between our two countries.’

‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine our next course of action [if India will not return Hasina] at the international level,’ he added.

He added that a red notice would be issued through Interpol, and the government was taking all necessary steps to bring her back for trial.

‘If further measures are required, we will consider them accordingly,’ he added.

Noting the trial process in the cases filed over the July-August genocide, he said another International Crimes Tribunal will be established soon to expedite the trial proceedings in the cases.

Amid rising demands for the extradition of the ousted prime minister for trial, the foreign ministry requested its Indian counterpart to send her back.

‘We have informed the Indian government that she is wanted here for a judicial process. Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at his ministry on December 23,’ he said.

‘A note verbale has been sent to the Indian government through the diplomatic channel in this regard,’ Asif added.

Hasina is facing an International Crimes Tribunal warrant for her arrest on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity during the student-led July-August mass uprising.

Officials said that there was no bar to the extradition of Hasina, as Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with neighbouring India.

Hasina, also the Awami League president, has been staying in India since her ouster from power on August 5, leading to the formation of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus on August 8. 

The International Crimes Tribunal on October 21 asked the inspector general of police to execute warrants for the arrest of Hasina and 22 of her aides it issued in two cases on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The tribunal issued the arrest warrants on October 17 after the chief prosecutor filed two separate petitions—one against Hasina and the other against former government officials.

Since her ouster as prime minister, at least 50 cases have been filed with the tribunal against Hasina and her associates, mainly for murders, torture, and enforced disappearances.

Besides, more than 200 cases, mostly on murder charges, have also been filed against Hasina after the fall of her authoritarian regime.