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Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced her intention to return to her country “this year,” multiple months after being sentenced to death in absentia for human rights violations, according to a recent interview published on Sunday.
Hasina, who is 78 years old, fled to neighboring India in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year authoritarian leadership. Since then, she has remained largely out of public view, aside from a rare address broadcast to a crowded press club in New Delhi in January.
During an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV, Hasina expressed that she is unafraid of death and dismissed her sentencing as “a part of an illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated process.” She stated, “Numerous conspiracies have been plotted against me. Yet, despite these challenges, I was elected Prime Minister five times by the people’s vote and worked tirelessly for the country’s remarkable development.”
She affirmed her plans to return home despite the death penalty, saying, “I want to make it clear: overcoming all obstacles and conspiracies, I will come back to my country this year.”
In November, a court in Dhaka convicted Hasina of incitement, ordering her to be hanged for failing to prevent atrocities and encouraging violence. Additionally, her former ruling party, the Awami League, now banned, was once one of the nation’s most influential political entities.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have improved since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman secured a sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s national elections in February, which has brought the two countries closer. Nonetheless, tensions persist, with Bangladesh repeatedly demanding the extradition of Hasina.
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