Bangladesh’s Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Vows Return Despite Death Sentence
Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has declared that she will return to her country “this year,” months after being sentenced to death in absentia in a crimes against humanity case that she has dismissed as politically motivated.
In an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV published on Sunday, the 78-year-old said she was undeterred by the death sentence and remained determined to return to Bangladesh despite the legal action against her.
“I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year,” Hasina said when asked whether she planned to return despite the verdict.
Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after a student-led uprising brought an end to her 15-year rule. Since leaving Bangladesh, she has largely stayed out of public view, making only limited appearances, including a televised address to supporters in New Delhi earlier this year.
Rejecting the court’s verdict, Hasina described the proceedings as “illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated.”
“Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every web of conspiracy… I was elected prime minister five times by the people’s vote and worked for the country’s unprecedented development,” she said.
Last November, a court in Dhaka convicted Hasina in absentia on charges including incitement, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities during the unrest that preceded her removal from office. She was sentenced to death by hanging.
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition from India, making the issue one of the key points of friction between the two neighbours.
Although bilateral ties have improved since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government came to power following a landslide election victory in February, Dhaka has continued to press New Delhi to hand over the former premier.
Hasina’s latest remarks signal that she intends to challenge both her legal conviction and political exile, even as the future of her once-dominant Awami League remains uncertain after the party’s activities were banned in Bangladesh.
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