Bangladesh seeks Interpol’s ‘red notice’ for ousted PM Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh has requested the Interpol to issue a ‘red notice’ against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son. The two reportedly fled Bangladesh after the massive 2024 student led protests.

What exactly would a red notice do? In simple words, these are requests made to the police forces around the world to nab an individual of interest — usually someone who faces extradition, surrender, or other legal action. These are not limited to convicts, but can also be issued for people fleeing prosecution.

Sheikh Hasina has been named in six corruption cases, along with her US-based son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her daughter Saima Wazed, who has been serving as the World Health Organization's Southeast Asia chief in New Delhi.

"If found guilty, Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Saima Wazed could face up to 14 years in prison," ACC lawyer Khan Mohammad Mainul Hossain told AFP.

Wazed is on leave from the WHO and a new official has taken up a post as "officer-in-charge".

In total, six cases have been filed of alleged corruption connected to Hasina.

Among those named in other cases, some slated to be heard later in August, are Hasina's sister, Sheikh Rehana, and her children -- including British lawmaker Tulip Siddiq.

Hasina has defied orders to return from India, including to attend her separate and ongoing trial on charges amounting to crimes against humanity, over the deadly crackdown on the uprising.

Bangladesh elections

Bangladesh is currently being headed by an interim government setup by the Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner. But the government has announced it will go to polls in February next year.

"On behalf of the interim government, I will write a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting that the election be arranged before Ramadan in February 2026," Yunus said in a broadcast on the one-year anniversary of the ousting of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus, 85, is leading the caretaker government as its chief adviser until elections, and has said he will step down after the vote. "We will step into the final and most important phase after delivering this speech to you, and that is the transfer of power to an elected government", he said.

Yunus had earlier said elections would be held in April, but key political parties have been demanding he hold them earlier, and before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people.

"I urge you all to pray for us so that we can hold a fair and smooth election, enabling all citizens to move forward successfully in building a 'New Bangladesh'", he added.