Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced her intention to return to Bangladesh this December, marking her first public statement since fleeing the country two years ago. The 78-year-old politician, who served five terms as leader, made the declaration during an audio address delivered at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi on Wednesday. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, participated in the event via a video link from Washington, D.C.
Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter in 2024 following a violent, youth-led uprising that resulted in nearly 1,400 deaths, according to figures provided by the United Nations. During her address, she expressed defiance regarding her legal status, stating, "Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people." She further emphasized her commitment to duty over personal safety, noting that she could be detained or imprisoned upon her arrival to face what she described as "fabricated cases."
The former leader maintained her innocence regarding the violence that occurred during her final weeks in power. Instead, she characterized the protests as a "coordinated assault on the constitutional order" that she claimed was fueled by propaganda and hidden instructions.
This narrative is strongly contested by political analysts. Ali Riaz, a professor of political science at Illinois State University, stated that the uprising was a direct reaction to Hasina's long-standing authoritarian rule.
Riaz argued that the scale of the casualties confirms the state machinery was utilized against civilians under her direct instruction, dismissing her version of events as an attempt to ignore established facts.
Following her departure, her political party, the Awami League, was banned. In 2025, a tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 crackdown. Hasina has rejected this verdict as legally void. Regarding her potential return, Riaz noted that her arrival would likely trigger immediate legal consequences, as her conviction stands without appeal, officially marking her as a fugitive who would be subject to arrest upon re-entry.
The announcement has created diplomatic friction. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing that Dhaka "deeply regrets" that the press conference was allowed to proceed in India. While India has recently expressed a desire to improve relations with Bangladesh, the ongoing exile of the former leader remains a point of tension. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that it had no involvement in organizing the event.
Then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks during a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. 6, 2014. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP hide caption
Students shout slogans during a protest demanding the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Rajib Dhar/AP hide caption
