Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who was ousted during a mass uprising in 2024 and flew to India, has vowed that she will return to her home country in December this year.
Before her ouster, Hasina ordered a violent crackdown against student protesters which killed hundreds and left thousands injured. According to the United Nations (UN), around 1400 people were killed during the uprising.
In 2025, the former PM was sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka for her crimes against humanity and the violent handling of the protests.
Bangladesh’s long-serving former PM has rejected the tribunal’s decision while questioning the trial’s legitimacy and denied any wrongdoing.
In an email interview with the Associated Press, Hasina said she was ready to face prison or even death then stay in exile. She said: “If death is my destiny, I would rather die on the soil of my own country, among my own people.”
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition, but India has not handed her over.
Her planned return comes as the Awami League, the party she has led for decades, remains banned from political activities.
The party was barred from contesting February’s general elections, which brought Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman to power.
Hasina accused the current government of targeting her supporters, claiming that thousands had been arrested or forced into hiding.
The government maintains that arrests have been made in connection with specific criminal allegations.
