Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ousted in a mass uprising in 2024, has told The Associated Press that she remains committed to returning to Bangladesh from exile in India next month, despite being sentenced to death over her government’s deadly crackdown on protesters.
She had first announced in August her intention to return in December. Ms. Hasina denies any wrongdoing. She has also rejected the tribunal’s verdict and challenged the legitimacy of the trial. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Ms. Hasina’s extradition, but India has declined to hand her over. Ms. She could face arrest upon arrival in Bangladesh.
The United Nations has said in a report that nearly 1,400 people were killed. Hasina, who was Prime Minister from 2009-2024, didn’t disclose how she plans to return from India.
In February, Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a longtime political rival of Ms. Hasina, swept to power in a landslide election held under Mr. Yunus’ administration. Ms. Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from contesting the vote. Ms. “I value friendship and cooperation with all nations. That has always been our (Bangladesh’s) foreign policy.
Hasina alleged that at least 20,000 party members have been killed since August 2024, while thousands have been arrested, tortured or forced into hiding. Because of their political affiliations, she said that supporters have also lost homes, businesses and livelihoods.
But I do not need the blessing of a foreign power to return to my own country,” she said.
Hasina’s ouster, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of an interim administration, leading the country for the next 18 months. Following Ms.
