Dhaka keeps hoping Khairuzzaman’s extradition

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday reiterated that M Khairuzzaman, arrested in Malaysia, would be brought back home soon though his wife, Rieta Rahman, initiating various efforts to stop the Malaysian government from deporting the former Bangladesh envoy.

“I’m confident he (Khairuzzaman) is coming back,” said the State Minister when approached by journalists.

Shahriar Alam referred to the existing good relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia and said there has been “no disagreement” from the Malaysian side.

He also hinted that the government can talk to the UN, if necessary, to explain further as there is a specific definition for refugees.

According to media reports, Khairuzzaman holds a UN refugee card.  

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country, according to the UN refugee agency - UNHCR.

The State Minister said one who is okay on all fronts and financially solvent can never be a refugee. “If so, all criminals will seek a refugee status in any country of the world. That’s not logical.” 

Earlier, the Malaysian government confirmed the arrest of Khairuzzaman due to an "offence" he "committed."

Khairuzzaman, a retired army major, was accused of participating in the 1975 Jail Killing case and was later acquitted before being appointed as Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Malaysia in 2007 during the caretaker government.

Soon after his arrest, State Minister Shahriar Alam said there is a scope to interrogate him again in person and look into the case against him again.

He, however, said the Law Ministry is in a better position to talk about the legal aspects. "I don't want to jump into a conclusion."

Malaysian Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin on Thursday said he was aware of the arrest. "The arrest was made according to procedures," The Star, a Malaysian daily, quoted him in its online version as saying.

After the Awami League-led government came to power in 2009, he was recalled to Dhaka.

But Khairuzzaman did not return and obtained the UN Refugee Card in Kuala Lumpur and continued to stay back there, according to The Star.