Momen Slams US, Canada for Not Sending Back Bangabandhu Killers

The unwillingness of Western nations to extradite the persons convicted of murdering Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was attacked by foreign minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, who called it humiliating inactivity.

"Their words do not match with their actions," he said, indicating that the US and Canada talk about human rights issues but provide shelter to the killers under a "different pretext”.

These comments were delivered by the foreign minister on Tuesday during a tree-planting ceremony to commemorate National Mourning Day.

Bangabandhu and his family members were slain on that day in 1975. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, his daughters, both lived since they were away from home at the time. Sheikh Hasina is currently Bangladesh's premier with the longest tenure.

The military administration passed an indemnification legislation after the savage killing, shielding the perpetrators from legal punishment and even giving them posts in the foreign ministry.

The Awami League, Bangabandhu's party, overturned the decree and started the trial after gaining office in 1996.

In 2010, the court executed 12 individuals who had been convicted after a protracted trial.

Five of those alleged murderers were executed on January 28, 2010. They were Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Huda, Syed Faruque Rahman, Sultan Shahariar Rashid Khan, and AKM Mohiuddin. Aziz Pasha, another assassin, passed away while he was still at large.

A wanted criminal named Abdul Mazed was apprehended in Dhaka's Gabtoli on April 7, 2020, and executed according the law.

Currently, Rashed Chowdhury resides in the US. In Canada, Noor Chowdhury resides. 

Abdur Rashid, Shariful Haque Dalim, and Risaldar Moslemuddin's places are still unknown.

The failure to extradite the murderers from the US and Canada was lamented by the foreign minister.

"But it is a shame for them," he said. "We are disappointed."

He said Canada did not return Noor Chowdhury, claiming that he was awarded the death penalty.

"On return, he has the scope to seek mercy," the foreign minister said, adding that Canada has not even confirmed his citizenship status.

Regarding Rashed Chowdhury, the foreign minister said that the US government never said that they would not return him. They informed that he is in the court process, and the matter is with the attorney general.

"We were in touch with the attorney general who asked for details about his trial. We sent the details. But after that there is no progress," he added.

The foreign minister said they had planted the samplings in the Foreign Service Academy as it was the first office of Bangabandhu after the birth of Bangladesh. The old building was also converted into a museum.

State minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam was also present.