Bangladesh revokes Hasina’s diplomatic passport; ex-PM faces extradition risk

Dhaka, August 23

Advertisement

Bangladesh’s interim government revoked ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s diplomatic passport, along with all members of the former Cabinet, over two weeks after she resigned and fled to India following a student-led uprising against her government.

A statement by the Security Services Division of the Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday said diplomatic passports received by the former prime minister, her advisors, ex-cabinet members and all members of recently dissolved Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) and their spouses would be revoked immediately, the BSS news agency reported. According to the Indian visa policy, Bangladeshi citizens holding diplomatic or official passports are eligible for visa-free entry and a stay of up to 45 days, The Daily Star newspaper said. As of Thursday, Hasina has already spent 18 days in India.

Hasina does not hold any passport other than the diplomatic passport issued in her name, the paper said quoting government sources. The cancellation of her diplomatic passport may put her at risk of extradition. — PTI