Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh in December despite death sentence

PTC Web Desk: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she plans to return to Bangladesh around December, even though she has been sentenced to death in a case filed by the country's International Crimes Tribunal.

In an interview with Reuters, Hasina said she and several senior leaders of the now-banned Awami League would return to Bangladesh and surrender before the courts. She said she is aware that she could be arrested or even lose her life after returning but believes she must go back.

Sheikh Hasina said she wanted to face the legal process in her own country and expressed hope that the court proceedings would reveal what she described as politically motivated cases against her.

The 78-year-old leader has been living in India since August 2024, when she left Bangladesh after weeks of violent anti-government protests. According to Hasina, she was advised to leave the country for security reasons as the situation had become dangerous.

In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over allegations related to the government's crackdown on the 2024 student protests. Hasina has denied all the charges.

She also confirmed that Bangladesh has repeatedly asked India to extradite her. However, she said she does not intend to wait for any extradition process and plans to return on her own.

Hasina said she has not discussed her return with any foreign government. She added that she is prepared for arrest and is not afraid of imprisonment, pointing out that she has spent time in jail during previous political crises in Bangladesh.

She also said she has continued to stay in touch with Awami League leaders through online meetings as the party works to reorganise despite being banned.