Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for Sheikh Hasina

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A Bangladeshi court has ordered an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August after she was ousted by mass protests.

Bangladeshi former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is wanted by Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) for her alleged involvements in "crimes against humanity" that took place during the demonstrations, in which hundreds were killed.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for 45 others, including former government ministers who also fled the country.

According to reports, Hasina, 77, has not been seen in public since fleeing Bangladesh.

Her last official whereabouts is a military airbase near India's capital Delhi.

She was initially expected to stay in India for a short time, but reports say her attempts to seek asylum elsewhere have been unsuccessful so far.

The new interim government in Bangladesh has revoked her diplomatic passport and the two countries have a bilateral extradition treaty which would permit her return to face criminal trial.