Hasina confirms Bangladesh return this year, unafraid of justice

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intends to return to her country before the end of the year, her spokesperson confirmed. Mozammel Ali told EFE that while no specific date is set, Hasina plans to return "in due course."

Hasina faces a death sentence for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from the repression of protests that led to her government's downfall in 2024. The protests resulted in thousands of deaths, according to the report.

Despite the conviction, Ali stated Hasina is unconcerned, asserting that the Bangladeshi government "condemned her in a sham trial, imposing the death penalty." He conveyed Hasina's resolve: "Whatever happens, I would like to return to my country and I wish to help my compatriots. And if I go, if they arrest me, let them arrest me."

Hasina, who governed Bangladesh for 15 years, was sentenced on November 17 by the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court. Her legal team has not contacted current authorities in Dhaka. Hasina has repeatedly denounced the sentence as an "illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated process" aimed at crippling her party, the Awami League.

Bangladesh's justice system convicted her for her role in suppressing student protests in August 2024, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths, according to UN data. Hasina has distanced herself from these accusations, stating in a previous EFE interview, "I have never killed and I never ordered anyone to kill. It was a frantic and feverish situation, but characterizing what happened as an attempt by the country's leaders to attack their own people is totally wrong."

The spokesperson did not comment on whether India, where Hasina has been in exile, is pressuring her to leave. In April, the Indian government indicated it was reviewing Bangladesh's extradition request and seeking to "constructively cooperate with the new government" of Tarique Rahman, elected in February.