Sheikh Hasina Vows to Return to Bangladesh in December ‘At Any Cost’ Despite Death Sentence

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return from exile in India in December, despite facing a death sentence over the deadly crackdown on student-led protests that forced her from power in 2024.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Hasina said her decision to return to Bangladesh remained unchanged, even though she could face arrest, imprisonment or further punishment upon arrival.

"If death is my destiny, I would rather die on the soil of my own country, among my own people," she said in an email response to questions from the news agency.

Hasina, who fled to India after the mass uprising in August 2024, has remained there since her removal from office. She served as Bangladesh's prime minister from 2009 to 2024.

Hasina Faces Arrest Risk Upon Return

Hasina acknowledged that returning to Bangladesh could expose her to arrest, imprisonment, torture or even death. However, she said she was unwilling to spend the rest of her life watching her country and its people suffer from abroad.

She did not disclose how she planned to travel back from India.

Her proposed return comes after a Bangladeshi special tribunal sentenced her to death in 2025 for crimes against humanity over her government's handling of the 2024 protests.

The tribunal held her responsible for ordering the crackdown, which left hundreds dead and thousands injured. A United Nations report estimated that nearly 1,400 people were killed during the unrest.

Hasina has denied wrongdoing, rejected the tribunal's verdict and questioned the legitimacy of the trial.

Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition from India, but New Delhi has declined to hand her over.

Awami League Faces Political Uncertainty

Hasina's proposed return comes amid a major shift in Bangladesh's political landscape.

Following her ouster, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus headed an interim administration for 18 months. In February 2026, Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and a longtime political rival of Hasina, swept to power in a landslide election.

Hasina's Awami League was barred from contesting the election. The party remains banned, while several senior leaders have been arrested or forced into exile.

Hasina alleged that at least 20,000 Awami League members had been killed since August 2024. She also claimed that thousands had been arrested, tortured or forced into hiding, while party supporters had lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods.

She accused the authorities of systematically suppressing her party and said Bangladesh lacked a normal political and democratic environment.

Hasina Raises Concerns Over Rise of Extremist Groups

Hasina also expressed concern over the growing influence of hard-line and extremist groups in Bangladesh.

She said the current political environment had allowed extremist elements to become more confident. Her remarks come amid concerns raised by international rights organisations and independent observers over attacks on civil and political rights.

Several rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have criticised the Rahman government over alleged assaults on civil and political freedoms.

Minority communities have also reported intimidation, while the government has denied allegations of widespread abuses and maintained that arrests involve specific charges.

Hasina Says She Does Not Need Foreign Protection

Asked whether she expected India, the United States or other countries to intervene to ensure her safe return, Hasina said she was not seeking protection from foreign powers.

She maintained that returning to her own country was her decision and did not require the approval of another nation.

The Press Wing of Bangladesh's Prime Minister's Office did not respond to the AP's request for comment.

Her proposed December return could become a major political development for Bangladesh, where the Awami League remains excluded from electoral politics and its former leader faces a death sentence.