In a recent interview, Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, emphasized the significance of international collaboration. She expressed her hope for cooperation from the British government in relation to a particular individual. This individual is not only a political figure but is also believed to have been involved in an incident that affected Sheikh Hasina herself.
During her visit to the UK this weekend as an esteemed guest for the Coronation celebration of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, Sheikh Hasina will have an opportunity to address the issue of extradition. Her aim is to seek legal resolution for an incident she survived back in 2004.
The incident occurred during a rally in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped harm. Unfortunately, there were casualties and numerous injuries resulting from a series of incidents that transpired within the crowd.
In 2018, a court in Bangladesh passed a sentence on Tarique Rahman, a political figure who was tried in absentia. He was found guilty of alleged involvement in the aforementioned incident and other charges, including mismanagement of funds meant for charitable purposes.
Sheikh Hasina continues to pursue justice for the victims and their families. She firmly believes that resolving this matter necessitates the extradition of Rahman, who has been residing in the UK with his family since 2008.
During her recent visit to Washington, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call for assistance from the British government regarding Rahman's situation in an interview with the Voice of America Bangla service. While acknowledging her government's efforts in seeking his extradition, she emphasized that the final decision rests with the UK government.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that her officials have previously reached out to the UK government in an attempt to secure Rahman's return to Bangladesh. The UK Home Office has chosen not to comment, adhering to its policy of neither confirming nor denying extradition requests.
Rahman currently resides in London, which is home to a significant Bangladeshi diaspora. As a political figure associated with the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), he actively engages in political campaigns against the ruling Awami League. Rahman utilizes his website to disseminate information and rally support for his cause.
To Rahman's supporters, he is seen as a figure who can positively contribute to the governance of Bangladesh. However, opinions differ, and his critics question his motivations and actions.
Rahman comes from a politically influential family in Bangladesh. His father, Ziaur Rahman, served as prime minister until his assassination in 1981, and his mother, Khaleda Zia, held the position of the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, serving in two separate terms.
While Rahman's mother remains in Bangladesh after being convicted for misappropriation in 2018, Rahman himself has faced allegations of impropriety throughout his political career. During his involvement in the BNP-led government, concerns were raised about corruption and its impact on the country's economic progress.
Aside from his conviction related to the incident, Rahman has received sentences in cases involving the Zia Orphanage Trust and money laundering. Recently, a Dhaka court ordered a trial against Rahman and his wife, Zubaida, on charges of alleged illicit wealth accumulation.
The trial, initially filed in 2007 during a caretaker government, is scheduled to commence with witness testimonies.
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