Sheikh Hasina says will return to Dhaka 'this year'

Sheikh Hasina, the 78-year-old former leader of Bangladesh, has declared her intention to return to her country this year, despite being sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. The fugitive politician fled to neighboring India in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

Hasina has remained largely out of public view since her departure, with her only recent public appearance being a speech broadcast from New Delhi in January. In an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV, she expressed no fear of death, characterizing the verdict against her as part of an "illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated process."

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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.

"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 stated. She reiterated her determination, saying, "I want to say clearly: overcoming every obstacle and every conspiracy, I will return to my country this year."

Last November, a Dhaka court convicted Hasina of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities, leading to her death sentence. Her former party, the Awami League, once a dominant political force, has since been outlawed. Relations between India and Bangladesh have seen improvement since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman secured a decisive election victory in February.

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