Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she intends to return to Bangladesh around December along with other exiled leaders of the Awami League, despite acknowledging that she could be arrested or even killed upon her arrival. The dramatic declaration marks her strongest indication yet of returning to the country after leaving for India in August 2024 following the student-led uprising that toppled her government.
The 78-year-old leader said she plans to voluntarily surrender before the country's judicial authorities upon her return, insisting that she is prepared to face whatever legal or political consequences await her. Hasina also confirmed that there has been no communication with the current administration in Dhaka regarding her proposed homecoming.
Speaking about the risks involved, Hasina said she is fully aware of the possibility of being detained or even losing her life after returning to Bangladesh. "They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me. Still, I have to go," she said, underscoring her determination to return despite the uncertainty surrounding her future.
Expressing concern over the situation faced by members of her party, Hasina said Awami League leaders and workers continue to face severe repression in Bangladesh. She stated that she wishes to spend her final days in her homeland if the worst were to happen.
"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, referring to her family's historical legacy and her emotional attachment to Bangladesh.
Her announcement comes amid mounting legal challenges after Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in connection with the government's response to the 2024 student-led protests. The tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity, holding her responsible for ordering or failing to prevent the deaths of demonstrators during the nationwide unrest that ultimately led to the collapse of the Awami League government.
The verdict also imposed a death sentence on former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison. In addition, the tribunal ordered the confiscation of the properties belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.
Hasina has remained in India since her departure from Bangladesh in 2024, while the Awami League has struggled to reorganise under the new political landscape. Her announcement is expected to have significant political and legal implications, potentially setting the stage for one of the most consequential developments in Bangladesh's recent history.
If Sheikh Hasina proceeds with her planned return later this year, it could trigger a major political flashpoint, with domestic and international observers closely watching how the Bangladeshi authorities respond to the former Prime Minister's decision to voluntarily return and face the courts.
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