Hasina Plans December Return to Face Trial

Deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she intends to return to Bangladesh from India in December alongside senior leaders of her political party to surrender before the courts, despite fearing she could be arrested or even killed upon arrival.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Reuters on Thursday night, the former premier said she had accepted the personal risks involved but believed returning to her homeland was a moral obligation. Reuters published the interview on Friday.

Hasina said she was fully aware of the consequences that could await her after crossing the border. “They may arrest me after I return. They may even kill me. Even so, I have to go back,” she said. “My party leaders, activists and supporters are facing repression. If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil.”

According to Hasina, she and a number of senior leaders from her party have decided to return voluntarily and submit themselves before the country’s judicial process. She said the move would also serve as a test of the current authorities’ commitment to justice and the rule of law.

The remarks come against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s continuing political transition following the mass uprising of July and August 2024, which brought an end to Hasina’s tenure in office. In November last year, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity linked to the unrest. The authorities also prohibited all political activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.

Bangladesh has since made repeated requests to India seeking Hasina’s extradition. India has not publicly transferred her, and she has remained in exile there since leaving Bangladesh after the change in government.

Reuters noted that Bangladesh’s current administration has been attempting to restore political stability after nearly two years of upheaval. The agency observed that Hasina’s planned return could deepen existing political divisions and reignite tensions, given the highly polarised environment surrounding her party and the legal proceedings against its leadership.

The former prime minister’s latest remarks are significant because they represent the first time she has publicly identified a specific timeframe for returning to Bangladesh since going into exile. She said the decision had been made independently and was not discussed with or coordinated through any foreign government.

“They keep writing to India asking for me to be sent back,” Hasina said. “I will go on my own.”

Among the senior Awami League figures also facing capital punishment is former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Reuters reported that it was unable to reach other senior party leaders for comment regarding Hasina’s announcement.

The news agency also sought a response from spokespersons for the Bangladesh government concerning Hasina’s remarks. However, no official comment had been received at the time the report was published.

Hasina’s statement is likely to attract considerable political and legal attention in the months ahead, as any return to Bangladesh would have significant implications for the country’s judicial proceedings, domestic politics and the broader debate surrounding accountability for the events of 2024.