KATHMANDU: Former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her determination to return to her home country this December, despite facing a death sentence.
Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since being ousted following a student-led movement in 2024, stated that she remains committed to her decision even with the risks of arrest, imprisonment, or torture upon her return.
In 2025, a special tribunal sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, holding her responsible for the lethal crackdown on protesters. According to a United Nations report, approximately 1,400 people died during the unrest. Hasina has denied the allegations and challenged the legitimacy of the court’s verdict.
Although Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition, India has not handed her over. In an email response to the Associated Press, Hasina expressed her desire to die on her own soil and among her people.
Following Hasina’s ousting, an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus governed for 18 months. Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda Zia, came to power following elections held last February, in which Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from participating. Hasina has alleged that since August 2024, at least 20,000 members of her party have been killed, with thousands more arrested, tortured, or displaced. She claimed that there is no democratic environment in the country and expressed concern over the rising influence of radical groups in Bangladesh.
The current government has denied these allegations, maintaining that the arrests were made on legal grounds. However, the administration has faced criticism regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
