Ousted Bangladesh Ex-PM Hasina Vows Return This Year Despite Death Sentence

NEW DELHI, Jun 29: Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh this year despite being sentenced to death in absentia, dismissing the verdict as "illegal, unconstitutional and politically motivated."

In an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV, the 78-year-old former prime minister, who has been living in India since being ousted in a student-led uprising in August 2024, said she would overcome "every obstacle and every conspiracy" to return home. It is the first time Hasina has publicly set a timeline for her return.

Last November, a Dhaka court sentenced Hasina to death after convicting her of inciting violence, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities during the 2024 unrest. Rejecting the ruling, she accused Bangladesh's judiciary of being used for political revenge to eliminate the leadership of her Awami League party.

Hasina said she was not afraid of death and insisted her return was aimed at restoring democracy, the rule of law, political rights and the ideals of Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War. She also defended the Awami League, saying it remained deeply rooted in the country despite a ban on its political activities.

The former premier called on the government of Tarique Rahman to lift the ban on the Awami League, withdraw what she described as false cases against its leaders, release political prisoners and allow peaceful political activity.

The Bangladeshi government has defended the legal proceedings, saying they are part of efforts to ensure accountability for alleged crimes committed during the final months of Hasina's administration.