Khairul Alam:  An application has been submitted to the International Police Organization (Interpol) requesting the issuance of a ‘Red Notice’ against 12 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted during the July mass uprising.

The National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police has applied for the Red Notice in three separate phases targeting these individuals, who are currently absconding abroad.

The individuals named in the Red Notice applications include Awami League General Secretary and former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, former Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, former Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former Defense Advisor to the Prime Minister Major General (Retd.) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, former State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid, former State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed.

According to sources at Police Headquarters, the NCB branch applies for Red Notices at Interpol based on requests from courts, prosecution (state), or investigative agencies.

A police-related source revealed that the application against Benazir Ahmed highlights allegations of financial crimes, while the applications against the others include evidence of involvement in crimes against humanity.

Applications for Red Notices against the 10 individuals, excluding Sheikh Hasina and Benazir Ahmed, were submitted to Interpol by the NCB on April 10.

Prior to this, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the International Crimes Tribunal sent letters with relevant documents to the Home Ministry and Police Headquarters, requesting Red Notices through Interpol.

In November last year, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office of the International Crimes Tribunal requested Police Headquarters to apply for a Red Alert to arrest Sheikh Hasina.

Separately, an application for a Red Notice against Benazir Ahmed was submitted to Interpol in February this year, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), after a Dhaka court ordered measures for the same.

In addition to the Interpol Red Notice applications, efforts are underway by the interim government to repatriate fugitives under extradition treaties with countries like India. However, sources indicate that repatriation through such treaties may not be straightforward.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year amid student and public protests and remains there. Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with India, and the Bangladesh government has formally requested India to repatriate her under this treaty.

Three cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina in the International Crimes Tribunal so far. One case pertains to her alleged involvement in murders, genocide, and crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

In this case, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is also an accused. Additionally, there is a case related to the 2013 killings and torture of Hefazat-e-Islam activists at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar and another concerning enforced disappearances and murders over the past 15 years.

Prosecutors, including the Chief Prosecutor of the Tribunal, have informed journalists that the investigation into the case against Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity is in its final stages. A date for submitting the investigation report to the Tribunal is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday.

Interpol currently has 196 member countries. According to Police Headquarters sources, Bangladesh Police’s NCB maintains regular communication with these countries for verifying and exchanging information on crimes and criminals.

When a criminal flees to another country, the relevant country applies for a Red Notice to bring them to justice.

The 12 individuals for whom the NCB has applied for Red Notices have arrest warrants issued against them in various cases by Bangladeshi courts.

Interpol publishes the names of individuals with Red Notices on its website. As of 7:15 PM on Friday, Interpol’s website listed 6,583 individuals with Red Notices, including 62 Bangladeshis. However, none of the 12 individuals recently applied for are currently listed.

Among the Bangladeshis on Interpol’s Red Notice list are Dubai-based fugitive Robiul Islam, alias Arav Khan, sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Special Branch (SB) Inspector Mamun Emran Khan, top terrorists Ferdous Jahangir (alias Kala Jahangir), Jafar Ahmed Manik, Jisan Ahmed, Prakash Kumar Bishwas, and former MP Golam Faruk Abhi.

The list also includes names and photos of fugitives sentenced to death in the Bangabandhu murder case.

Regarding why the names of the 12 recently applied-for individuals are not on Interpol’s website, discussions with five senior government and police officials revealed that the Red Notice issuance process begins after an application is submitted.

However, for politically sensitive cases, Interpol conducts thorough scrutiny. Awami League leaders and activists abroad are reportedly attempting to portray the cases against Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders as politically motivated, which may delay the issuance process.

In contrast, since Benazir Ahmed’s case involves financial corruption or crime, action on his Red Notice may be expedited.