The prime minister's adviser on information and broadcasting, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, on Tuesday said the government wants former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh to face trial and has formally requested India to extradite her.
Speaking at the weekly briefing on government activities at the Secretariat, Zahed said the government had been trying to bring Hasina back since the beginning.
He said: "We have been trying to bring her back. If she returns, we will welcome her because we want to ensure justice."
Responding to a question, Zahed said the restriction on broadcasting Hasina's statements is not a government policy decision but an order issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which the government is constitutionally bound to implement.
He said the government believes the judicial process should determine Hasina's fate.
He said: "She has been sentenced to death. If we can bring her back through extradition, that is exactly what we are trying to do."
Zahed said that if Hasina returns through mutual communication between Bangladesh and India, she will face the cases pending against her.
He said she would have the opportunity to defend herself through a transparent judicial process.
He said: "There is now scope for engaging foreign lawyers in the International Crimes Tribunal. She may appoint the best lawyers in the world to defend her. International observers can monitor the proceedings, and video recording facilities are available."
Zahed said many people expect the death sentence against Hasina to be upheld and carried out, but the government remains committed to allowing the court to decide the matter independently.
He said: "We believe she has caused immense damage to the state, yet we still want her to receive justice through due process."
Responding to a question about possible geopolitical implications, Zahed said he did not believe Hasina's return would create significant geopolitical complications.
He also claimed that Hasina no longer has a political future in Bangladesh.
Referring to remarks made by the state minister for foreign affairs on Monday, Zahed said the current government, like the previous interim government, has formally requested India to extradite Hasina.
He said: "There is no question of any pressure regarding this issue."
Asked how Hasina's return would be managed if India agrees to extradite her, Zahed said the process would be handled through discussions between the two countries.
He said: "The government's policy position is to bring her back and place her under the jurisdiction of justice. Naturally, if she wants to return, the government will facilitate that process."
