Sheikh Hasina, 78, has said she will return to Bangladesh after two years in exile in India, despite facing the death penalty. She said the exact date will be announced when the time comes, but she wants it to be in December.
The Legal Wall Awaiting Her
In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 crackdown. The UN says the protests left nearly 1,400 people dead. Hasina denies wrongdoing and calls the verdict politically motivated.
Arrest on Arrival
The government has been clear about what awaits her. Law Minister Asaduzzaman said she has the right to return but that the law would be followed, and that she would be arrested before any court surrender. Asked how she could travel after her passport was revoked, he replied that it was her problem, not his.
Awami League Under Ban
Hasina says she wants to challenge the shutdown of her party. A special court disbanded the Awami League through an executive order under an anti-terror law. Hasina has also called for the ban to be lifted.
The India Factor
Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, but New Delhi says only that the request is being examined through the legal process. Before her address, India’s foreign ministry spokesman tried to distance New Delhi from it. Bangladesh’s government is particularly disturbed that she made the statement from New Delhi.
A Test for the New Government
Bangladesh is now led by the BNP government of Tarique Rahman, which was elected in February. BNP officials have said they would welcome her return so that she could face justice. Her landing in Dhaka would shape the Awami League’s future and test the fairness of Bangladesh’s institutions. It is also unclear how many of her silent supporters would come out on the streets.
For now, no date has been set. Whether Hasina actually boards a flight and whether India lets her go or hands her over will decide if December becomes a homecoming or a legal showdown.
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