Prime Minister has reiterated Bangladesh’s call urging Canada to send back convict Noor Chowdhury, the man who had directly shot Bangabandhu dead on August 15, 1975, as outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Benoit-Pierre Laramee made a farewell call on her.
"The premier sought his (Noor Chowdhury's) extradition," Ihsanul Karim, press secretary to Hasina, told a media briefing at Prime Minister Office in Dhaka on Sunday, reports BSS.
He said the envoy in reply said he would convey Bangladesh's concern to the Canadian government.
Noor fled Bangladesh to evade justice as the Awami League returned to power in the 1996 general elections and initiated the process of exposing Noor, along with other accused, to justice for the August 15 carnage. He eventually took refuge in Canada to get the protection of their “pre-removal risk assessment” law.
The press secretary said the issue of the next parliamentary elections also came in their discussion as they exchanged views on holding an inclusive and transparent general election.
Hasina said her party played a pioneering role in restoring the democratic rights of the people.
“There was no transparent system to hold free and fair election from 1975 to 1990. We have introduced the transparent ballot box and voters’ list with photographs,” she claimed.
Ahead of the last elections, she said, her government and party frantically tried to ensure BNP's participation in the election under an all party interim government.
"We had proposed BNP to give any ministry in the interim government, but BNP was rigid to foil the polls,” Hasina said.
The premier highlighted her government's constant endeavour to prevent terrorism, saying the government was campaigning against militancy taking onboard people of every profession, group, religion and race.
Friday, June 05, 2026
