Sheikh Hasina plans Bangladesh return despite death sentence

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday that she plans to return home in December after two years in exile in India, despite facing a death sentence.

Speaking by video at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, the 78-year-old said, “I may be detained, I may be sent to prison. But fear cannot decide my duty to the people.”

Hasina said the exact date would be announced later and called for the ban on her Awami League party to be lifted.

She fled Bangladesh by helicopter after a student-led uprising ended her rule in 2024. A court later convicted her of crimes against humanity, including incitement, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities.

Bangladesh has sought her extradition from India, which says the request is under legal review. Her announcement comes as ties between the neighboring countries improve under prime minister Tarique Rahman.