Former PM Sheikh Hasina Vows Return to Bangladesh by December Despite Arrest, Death Fears

Former PM Sheikh Hasina Vows Return to Bangladesh by December Despite Arrest, Death Fears

New Delhi, July 29, 2026 [VoM News]: Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she is determined to return to her country by December despite acknowledging the possibility of being arrested, imprisoned or even killed, as per AFP report.

In an interview with AFP, the 78-year-old former premier said she was fully aware of the risks awaiting her but wanted to return because “my people are calling me.”

“I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison. I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me,” Hasina said.

Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. She fled Bangladesh by helicopter and has since been living at an undisclosed location in India.

Also Read: Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Tells Ex PM Sheikh Hasina to Return ‘Tomorrow’, Says She Will Be Jailed on Arrival

The United Nations has said up to 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on protesters in the final phase of her government.

In November 2025, a court in Dhaka convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death by hanging. She rejected the verdict, describing it as “political vengeance dressed up as law.”

Addressing reports about Bangladesh’s extradition request, Hasina said her decision to return was independent of the legal proceedings.

“I am staying in India with due respect and dignity. Indian authorities have not discussed extradition with me. I myself have decided to return to my country,” she said.

Defending her tenure, Hasina rejected longstanding allegations of human rights abuses, political repression and misuse of state institutions, claiming such accusations were politically motivated.

Responding to criticism over the handling of the 2024 student protests, she maintained that her government had exercised restraint and sought a peaceful resolution.

“My government showed the highest level of patience and tried to guide the student movement towards a peaceful solution,” she said, adding that the unrest had evolved into “a planned operation driven by hidden instructions, organised violence, propaganda and the objective of overthrowing the government.”

Asked whether she would resume political activity despite her Awami League party being effectively banned, Hasina did not give a direct answer, saying, “Power is not my destination. Service to the people is.”

While expressing sympathy for families who lost loved ones during the unrest, she stopped short of apologising and declined to say whether she regretted decisions taken during the crisis, stating that actions of a government cannot be judged by isolating individual moments from the broader situation.