Dhaka:Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal has stated that the ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina must comply with legal procedures if she intends to return to Bangladesh.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, is unable to appeal the verdict after the expiration of the stipulated time limit. The Attorney General emphasized this point while addressing journalists at his Supreme Court office.
The Attorney General highlighted the legal framework concerning appeals against International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) verdicts, mentioning the case of Abul Kalam Azad as a precedent. Azad was also sentenced to death for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War, and the case established that appeals cannot be filed after the deadline.
Attorney General Kazal further asserted that the law applies equally to everyone, and there is no provision for filing an appeal beyond the specified time frame. He added that the government and relevant authorities have already outlined the legal and diplomatic facets of Sheikh Hasina's potential return, referring to statements from the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Prosecutor of the ICT, and the Indian Foreign Secretary, which align with the current legal framework and international relations.
Previously, ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam noted that Sheikh Hasina would not be able to appeal the ruling after the 30-day deadline. He emphasized that the International Crimes Tribunal Act, a special law, takes precedence over general laws, including the Limitation Act. Islam advised Sheikh Hasina to submit a written request to the Indian government to facilitate her return under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.