Dhaka, Jul 11 (V7N) — Former legal adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, has welcomed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's reported decision to return to Bangladesh and urged her to do so without delay to face legal proceedings.

In a post published on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Asif Nazrul said both the previous interim government and the current government had taken steps to seek Sheikh Hasina's return from India.

"Welcome, Sheikh Hasina. The interim government formally requested India to return Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. The current government has also taken the same initiative," he wrote.

He said the government intends to prosecute her through the legal process and questioned why she would wait until December if she genuinely wished to return.

"If that is true, then why wait until December? Sheikh Hasina, you should return to the country now," he wrote.

In his statement, Asif Nazrul said Sheikh Hasina would need to answer questions before both the people and the courts regarding allegations related to the July mass uprising, as well as other incidents and issues during her tenure in office, including the BDR mutiny, the Shapla Chattar operation, allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, corruption, money laundering, electoral practices, and Bangladesh's relations with India.

He also commented on the situation of Awami League leaders and activists, saying many grassroots party members continue to face legal uncertainty while senior family members had left the country during the July uprising.

"If you have truly decided to return, then do not delay any longer. Come back, face the law and present your position before the court," he wrote.

He further added that if there was no genuine plan to return, repeated announcements could create unnecessary uncertainty and risks for ordinary party leaders and supporters.

According to Asif Nazrul, Sheikh Hasina said in a recent interview with Reuters that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December to surrender before the court. He also said she called on Awami League leaders living abroad to return to the country alongside her.

Source: Reuters

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