July 10, 2026 06:42 pm (IST)
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Sheikh Hasina
‘They may arrest or kill me’: Sheikh Hasina announces plan to return to Bangladesh in December
Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh around December, despite suspecting she could be arrested or even killed upon arrival.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters, the 78-year-old Awami League leader said she and several exiled party colleagues planned to return voluntarily and surrender before the courts, even though she has been sentenced to death in absentia.
"They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me," Hasina told Reuters. "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 added.
Plans to return and surrender
Hasina said neither she nor other senior Awami League leaders had contacted the authorities in Dhaka regarding their proposed return.
According to Reuters, this is the first time the former prime minister has publicly outlined a timeline for returning to Bangladesh, confirmed her intention to surrender before a court and disclosed that other exiled Awami League leaders also plan to return.
Among those expected to return is former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who has also been sentenced to death.
According to Reuters, this is the first time the former prime minister has publicly outlined a timeline for returning to Bangladesh, confirmed her intention to surrender before a court and disclosed that other exiled Awami League leaders also plan to return.
Among those expected to return is former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who has also been sentenced to death.
"The authorities in Dhaka want to take me back; they are repeatedly sending letters to India seeking to have me sent back," Hasina said. "I will go myself."
She did not specify the exact date of her return, the court before which she would surrender or when the legal proceedings would begin.
Death sentence after conviction by tribunal
Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after a student-led uprising ended her tenure as prime minister.
Months later, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity linked to the government's crackdown on the 2024 protests.
Months later, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity linked to the government's crackdown on the 2024 protests.
The tribunal held Hasina responsible for ordering, or failing to prevent, the killings of protesters during the unrest.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison sentence.
The tribunal additionally ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to Hasina and Kamal.
Hasina has consistently denied the allegations against her.
Hasina has consistently denied the allegations against her.
Bangladesh witnessed a major mass uprising in July 2024, which ousted the Sheikh Hasina government. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/NayeemibnmatiurNo contact with Dhaka over return plans
During the interview, Hasina said she had not discussed her plans with the Bangladeshi authorities or sought assistance from any foreign government regarding her return.
She also said she was unconcerned about the possibility of imprisonment, noting that she had been arrested on several occasions during her political career.
She also said she was unconcerned about the possibility of imprisonment, noting that she had been arrested on several occasions during her political career.
"Democracy, voting rights, the political rights of the Awami League and justice are not subjects for secret talks."
Referring to the judicial process awaiting her, Hasina said, "I believe in justice, and I feel that once proceedings start, it will be clear to the people how farcical the court is — and that I want to prove it."
Awami League leaders face cases after ouster
Hasina told Reuters that many Awami League leaders and workers have gone into hiding following the fall of her government.
"Cases have been filed against almost all of our leaders and workers, and many of them are in hiding," she said.
She added that she had urged party members to return together and face the legal process.
"So I said that this time I am returning home, and one day, all of you should come. All together, we will all surrender in court."
According to Hasina, she has been conducting online meetings covering 125 of Bangladesh's 300 parliamentary constituencies as part of efforts to reorganise the Awami League during her exile in India.
Hasina's political future
Hasina said she fled Bangladesh because of threats to her life as crowds advanced towards her official residence during the 2024 uprising.
Reflecting on her years in office, she acknowledged that governments can make mistakes but said voters should ultimately decide their political future.
Reflecting on her years in office, she acknowledged that governments can make mistakes but said voters should ultimately decide their political future.
"When a government works for a long time, mistakes can happen, no government is above error," she said. "But the right to judge the good and bad, the right and wrong of a government belongs to the people. I leave that judgment to the people."
She also questioned the suspension of the Awami League despite the legal proceedings against her.
"They may have convicted me, and I may not be able to contest elections," she said. "But why should they suspend the Awami League? If we have done badly, let the people decide."
Reuters reported that spokespersons for Bangladesh's government did not respond to requests for comment on Hasina's remarks.
India's Ministry of External Affairs also did not comment on the interview.
Earlier, the ministry had said it was examining Bangladesh's extradition request while seeking to maintain constructive engagement with the interim government in Dhaka.
#Sheikh Hasina
# Bangladesh Politics
# Sheikh Hasina return
# Awami League
# Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal
# Bangladesh death sentence
# Bangladesh protests 2024
# India Bangladesh relations
# Reuters interview
# Bangladesh news
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