Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated her intention to return to her country this December, despite facing a death sentence for her actions during the 2024 unrest. Hasina, who has lived in exile in India for two years, announced the decision via video link at a Foreign Correspondents’ Club event in South Asia. She appeared alongside her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and other Awami League members to address her supporters and the media.
The 78-year-old leader, ousted after a student-led uprising, faces charges in Dhaka including incitement and ordering killings. She was convicted in absentia last year and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. During her address, she maintained that she must return because she cannot witness the suffering of her countrymen from afar. She further called for the current government to lift the ban on the Awami League, which remains a central point of contention.
Her announcement introduces new political friction between Bangladesh and India. While the Bangladeshi government has repeatedly requested her extradition, New Delhi has stated the request remains under legal review. Indian officials have clarified that their government is not involved in her public statements and does not endorse the views expressed at the forum. The political climate remains tense as Bangladesh continues to manage its post-revolution transition under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Hasina stated the specific date for her return is not yet fixed, though she is targeting December. Her son confirmed that they have no open lines of communication with the current administration in Dhaka. This development arrives as the region prepares for upcoming diplomatic events, including a BRICS summit, which has drawn focus to the changing balance of power in South Asia.