Dhaka, September 03 — The chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has announced that one of his administration's top priorities is to recover billions of dollars allegedly smuggled out of the country during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule. Yunus made this statement during a meeting with Toby Cadman, an international human rights lawyer, on Monday.

Toby Cadman, a British lawyer and human rights activist who co-heads The Guernica 37 Law Firm in London, paid a courtesy call to Yunus and discussed several pressing issues. During their conversation, Cadman condemned the recent violence by law enforcement forces against students, labelling the indiscriminate shootings in July and August as "direct genocide" and "crimes against humanity." He urged the interim government to establish a domestic tribunal to prosecute those responsible for these actions.

Cadman further stressed the importance of establishing a robust domestic legal framework for truth, justice, and accountability in Bangladesh, which he believes would garner support from the international community and be accepted by the people of Bangladesh. He proposed that Bangladesh should develop mechanisms for the extradition of individuals involved in crimes against humanity, economic crimes, and political corruption, stating that his firm is ready to assist in these efforts.

In response, Professor Yunus expressed his commitment to holding internationally acceptable trials for those responsible for the alleged atrocities during the student-led revolution. He reiterated the interim government's dedication to transparency and justice, particularly in the effort to repatriate funds that were illicitly moved out of the country.

Yunus requested Cadman to submit his proposals in written form, indicating that the interim government is open to international cooperation and expertise in its quest to address past injustices and recover stolen assets.