DHAKA: The government will not be able to bring BNP Senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh immediately as he sought political asylum to United Kingdom (UK) government.

Home ministry sources said after going to UK, for the last time Tarique renewed his passport in 2008 that expired in 2013. Recently, he sought political asylum to UK government.

Sources also said, “It is impossible for the UK authorities to send Tarique back home. Country’s judiciary would decide on whether Tarique would be sent back to Bangladesh. And for that, the judiciary has to be convinced about his security.”

On the other hand, Bangladesh government has to apply for deportation of Tarique in a legal way as Bangladesh and UK did not sign any extradition treaty.

State minister for home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said there were complexities to bring Tarique back in Bangladesh as he sought political asylum to UK government.

“We, however, have issued red alert to bring him back,” he added.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s eldest son Tarique Rahman, who faces at least 16 cases including the August 21 grenade attack case, has been living in London for “medical treatment” since September 2008 when he was released on bail.

Ruling Awami League activists and its associate bodies have been asking the government to bring back Tarique to Bangladesh to hold a trial for his defaming comments about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

BDST: 1753 HRS, JUL 03, 2015
SR