Bangladesh's fugitive ex-PM says will return to Dhaka 'this year'

Sheikh Hasina, the former leader of Bangladesh, has declared her intention to return to her home country this year, despite being sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. Hasina, 78, fled to neighboring India in August 2024 following the end of her 15-year rule, which was characterized by an iron fist.

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Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every web of conspiracy ... I was elected prime minister five times by the people's vote and worked for the country's unprecedented development.

Speaking in an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV, Hasina asserted that she is not afraid of death and views the verdict against her as the product of an "illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process." She stated, "Many conspiracies have been hatched against me. But breaking through every web of conspiracy... I was elected prime minister five times by the people's vote and worked for the country's unprecedented development."

Hasina's conviction came last November when a Dhaka court found her guilty of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. Her former political party, the Awami League, once a dominant force, has since been outlawed. While relations between India and Bangladesh have seen improvement since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's election victory in February, Dhaka continues to press India for Hasina's extradition.

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I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year.

Hasina has remained largely out of the public eye since her departure, with her last public appearance being a speech in New Delhi in January. Her vow to return signifies a defiant stance against the charges and the legal proceedings initiated against her.

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part of an illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process