Dhaka:Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will face the legal process for execution of her death sentence upon her return to Bangladesh, as she did not appeal against the verdict in a crimes against humanity case, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam stated on Tuesday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam emphasized that there is no legal scope for Hasina, a convicted fugitive, to obtain a Bangladeshi passport. He explained at a press briefing that Article 6 of the Bangladesh Passport Order, 1973, restricts passport issuance to individuals convicted in the preceding five years and sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years.
He further elaborated that crimes against humanity are considered offences involving moral turpitude, leading to the cancellation of Hasina's passport. Aminul Islam clarified that a comprehensive reading of sub-clauses A, B, C, and E of Article 6 leaves no authority for passport officials to issue a passport to a convicted person in such situations.
The Chief Prosecutor also addressed Article 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to enter and leave Bangladesh. He asserted that this provision does not extend to individuals who have evaded judicial proceedings, and thus, they do not have the right to obtain a passport.
Aminul Islam pointed out that an arrest warrant has been issued to bring Hasina back to the country, along with other legal measures, including notices in newspapers. He questioned the validity of a passport application reportedly submitted on Hasina's behalf by a London-based law chamber, noting that no formal application had been filed by Hasina or her party.
He raised concerns about the legal standing of a London-based law firm applying for a passport on behalf of someone residing in India, questioning the existence of any legal agreement and the absence of a publicly available copy of such an agreement. The Chief Prosecutor concluded by stating that issuing a passport or travel document to a convicted person would undermine the judicial process.