Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December and “surrender” before a court, despite facing a death sentence and warning that authorities “may even kill” her upon arrival. Speaking to Reuters from exile in India, the 78‑year‑old leader said she and senior Awami League colleagues plan to go back voluntarily after two years abroad.
Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest‑serving prime minister, fled the country following violent youth‑led protests in 2024 that toppled her 20‑year rule across multiple terms. The interim government formed by protesters and led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus later oversaw a crimes court that sentenced her to death in absentia, accusing her of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student uprising — charges she denies.
“My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression,” Hasina said. “If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed.”
Her planned return could sharply intensify political divisions in Bangladesh as the government attempts to restore stability after two years of upheaval. Analysts say the move may also reshape Bangladesh–India relations, which deteriorated after New Delhi granted her refuge.
Hasina acknowledged the risks but insisted she must go back. “Still, I have to go,” she said, adding that she expects to be arrested immediately.
The Awami League, banned under the interim administration, has been operating underground. Party officials say Hasina’s return is intended to challenge what they call politically motivated charges and to restore democratic processes.
Her announcement comes amid broader regional tensions and domestic uncertainty, with observers warning that her re‑entry could trigger fresh unrest.