Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh in December along with senior leaders of her party, the Awami League, to surrender before the authorities. This decision comes despite a death sentence handed down in absentia, according to a Reuters report.
Neither the Indian nor the Bangladesh government has reacted to the news report.
Hasina's Statement on Return
Hasina, 78, fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after an uprising led by students ended her 20-year tenure as Prime Minister across multiple terms. Speaking to Reuters on the phone, she said she was prepared to face arrest or even death upon her return. She described the decision as an opportunity for the people of Bangladesh to judge her government's record rather than leaving that to her political opponents.
"They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me. Still, I have to go. My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression. If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed," she said.
Hasina also alleged that the interim government was targeting the Awami League and said her party was rebuilding its organizational network through virtual meetings despite restrictions on its activities.
Awami League Leader Confirms Return
Hours after the Reuters report, Awami League leader Mohibul Chowdhury confirmed to news agency ANI that he would return to Bangladesh with Hasina. "Our leader and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made it clear that we want to return and surrender in accordance with the law. We expect the country's institutions, including the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, to act fairly and legally," he said.
Chowdhury said most Awami League leaders remain inside Bangladesh, with more than 140 former MPs and several local body representatives in jail. He said the party's immediate priority is to secure the release of those detained without trial and have the ban on the Awami League lifted so its leaders can resume normal political activities.
Background of the Crisis
Hasina fled to India after her government was toppled during mass protests in 2024. Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal later convicted her of ordering a deadly crackdown on demonstrators that reportedly killed around 1,400 people, allegations she has consistently denied.
Her return could sharpen political divisions in the garment-export powerhouse as the government in Dhaka seeks to restore stability after two years of upheaval. On the other hand, it could improve strained ties with India, which deteriorated sharply after New Delhi gave her refuge. Bangladesh has repeatedly urged India to extradite her.
"The authorities in Dhaka want to take me back, they are repeatedly sending letters to India seeking to have me sent back. I will go myself," she said.
