The government has already issued an arrest warrant for the 77-year-old Hasina, who was last seen arriving in India after escaping by helicopter as crowds stormed her palace. Hasina has been summoned to appear in court in Dhaka on Monday to face charges related to “massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity,” but she remains in exile.
Yunus, appointed as the country's interim leader on August 9 following the fall of Hasina's 15-year rule, said his administration is focused on ensuring accountability for those involved in the violent crackdown on protests that led to her ousting. Several former ministers of Hasina’s government, who have been detained, are also expected to appear in court on similar charges.
“We have already initiated proceedings against those responsible for enforced disappearances, murders, and mass killings during the July-August uprising,” Yunus said in a statement on Sunday.
The 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was appointed as "chief advisor" after the revolution, confirmed that he had communicated with Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), about the situation.
“We will seek the extradition of the ousted autocrat from India,” Yunus said, referring to Hasina.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh announced plans to request an Interpol “red notice” to locate and apprehend fugitive leaders of Hasina’s regime. While India is a member of Interpol, a red notice is not an automatic order for extradition. Countries may decide whether or not to act on such notices based on their own legal systems.
Yunus, known for his pioneering work in microfinance, is leading a transitional government tasked with restoring democratic institutions in Bangladesh, a country of approximately 170 million people. He urged the public to be patient as his administration works on a roadmap for elections.
“We will hold the much-anticipated election once the necessary and essential reforms are complete,” Yunus said in a national address, adding that a new election commission would be formed “within a few days.” However, he did not provide a specific timeline for elections, noting that it would depend on the completion of critical reforms.
“I request your patience until then. We aim to build an electoral system that will endure for decades. For this, we need some time,” Yunus added.
The challenges facing Yunus’ government are significant. According to Crisis Group analyst Thomas Kean, "cracks are emerging in the fragile alliance" that brought Yunus to power. While the interim administration enjoys broad support, the pressure to deliver on promised reforms is mounting.
“If the interim administration falters in making reforms, the outcome is likely to be an early election with little progress,” Kean warned. "In the worst-case scenario, the military could assume power."