Bangladesh is poised to intensify efforts to secure the extradition of two self-confessed killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, immediately following the announcement of the national election results expected by the end of January 2024. Diplomatic sources suggest that this strategy is contingent on the ruling Awami League’s return to power, a likely outcome. The complex process involves delicate political maneuvers between Bangladesh and the US and Canada, where the killers currently reside.
The key challenge lies in navigating the legal landscape of the US and Canada, particularly concerning extradition to a home country where the death penalty may be imposed. The ongoing India-Canada controversy offers Dhaka an opportune moment to assert that one of Bangladesh’s most wanted individuals has eluded justice. New Delhi could potentially play a role in supporting Dhaka, drawing on past instances of cooperation between the two nations.
The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 remains an unresolved chapter in Bangladesh’s history, involving a coup by middle-level Army officers. The extradition process for the two fugitive army officers, now residing in the US and Canada, faces legal complexities. However, diplomatic channels may play a crucial role in exerting global pressure and navigating legal hurdles.
Bangladesh’s Law & Justice Minister, Anisul Huq, has indicated ongoing negotiations for the return of the two killers, Rashed Chowdhury in the US and SHBM Noor Chowdhury in Canada. While the legal option is available, it is a prolonged process. Success stories of extraditing individuals involved in Mujib’s assassination provide some hope, despite the formidable challenges.
As Bangladesh gears up for the national elections, the spotlight remains on whether diplomatic pressure can overcome legal complexities and secure justice for the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in 1975.
