Bangladesh accuses India of affronting its sovereignty over Hasina event

Bangladesh has accused India of "an affront to its sovereignty" and a "grave insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution" after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appeared at an event in New Delhi. The government in Dhaka expressed strong disapproval of India allowing Hasina to use media platforms on its territory while ignoring Bangladesh's extradition requests for the former leader.

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This interaction by Sheikh Hasina on Indian soil is an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty and a grave insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution.

"Unfortunately, Bangladesh's repeated requests to the Government of India for the handover of the convicted criminal Hasina to Bangladesh... have not yet received a response. But allowing her the opportunity to interact openly with the media deeply hurts the sentiment of our people and is detrimental to harmonious relations," the Bangladeshi government stated in a release.

The diplomatic spat escalated after Hasina, who is currently in exile and whose whereabouts were unknown, spoke virtually at an event in New Delhi to confirm her return to Bangladesh in December. She dismissed her death sentence, handed down for suppressing protests in 2024, as a "sham trial" and vowed to return without fear.

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Unfortunately, Bangladesh's repeated requests to the Government of India for the handover of the convicted criminal Hasina to Bangladesh... have not yet received a response. But allowing her the opportunity to interact openly with the media deeply hurts the sentiment of our people and is detrimental to harmonious relations.

Adding to the tension, the home of Shakib Al Hasan, a prominent former cricketer and politician associated with Hasina's party, was attacked by unknown individuals in Bangladesh shortly after his virtual participation in the event. Police confirmed an object was thrown at the house, causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished without serious damage.

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sham trial