Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said she is determined to return to her country by December, even though she could face arrest, imprisonment or execution. The 78-year-old leader has been living in New Delhi since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024 after a mass protest ousted her from power.
Hasina Says She Is Ready To Face Consequences
In an email interview with news agency AFP, Hasina said she understands the risks of returning but still wants to go back to Bangladesh. "I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison," Hasina said. She added, “I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me.” Earlier this month, Hasina had told Reuters that she and her political allies would return from exile and face legal cases against them.
Hasina further said that her party leaders and workers were facing severe repression in Bangladesh. Reaffirming her decision to return, she said, "My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression." She added, "If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed."
Why Sheikh Hasina Left Bangladesh
Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after months of nationwide protests. The demonstrations began over the country's government job quota system but soon turned into a larger anti-government movement. The protests intensified after security forces launched a crackdown on demonstrators. Thousands of people were injured and many were detained during the unrest, which eventually brought an end to Hasina's 15-year rule as prime minister.
Legal Cases Against Hasina
After the change in government, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) registered several cases against Hasina and some of her former ministers. They are accused of crimes against humanity over the government's handling of the 2024 protests. In November, a Dhaka court found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death by hanging in absentia. She had rejected the verdict, calling it "political vengeance dressed up as law".
Fresh Investigation Into Past Killings
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is also expanding investigations into alleged human rights abuses during Hasina's time in office. A day before Hasina's latest comments, authorities detained an active army brigadier general over the alleged extrajudicial killing of local politician Akramul Haque during the country's 2018 anti-drugs campaign.
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