Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December, even though she believes she could be arrested or killed after arriving in the country.
The 78-year-old leader made the statement while speaking about her future and the situation facing members of her political party, the Awami League. Hasina has been living in India since August 2024 after a student-led movement forced her government from power.
According to Hasina, she and several other Awami League leaders who are currently outside Bangladesh intend to return home voluntarily. She said they are prepared to face legal proceedings and will surrender before the courts if required.
Hasina said there has been no communication between her and the current authorities in Dhaka regarding her planned return. Despite this, she remains determined to go back to her homeland.
Speaking about the possible consequences, she said she understands the risks involved. Hasina stated that she could be arrested as soon as she arrives in Bangladesh. She also said there is a possibility that she could be harmed or even killed.
However, the former Prime Minister said these fears will not stop her from returning. She explained that she wants to face whatever happens on the soil of her own country.
Hasina spoke emotionally about her connection to Bangladesh and her family history. She said her parents are buried there and that the country holds deep personal meaning for her. She added that if death comes, she would rather die in her homeland than remain away from it.
The former Prime Minister also expressed concern about the treatment of Awami League leaders and workers. She claimed that many members of her party are facing pressure, harassment and repression. According to her, this has strengthened her decision to return and stand beside her supporters.
Hasina’s announcement comes at a time of intense political tension in Bangladesh. Recently, the country’s International Crimes Tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity related to the government’s response to the student-led protests in 2024.
The tribunal ruled that she was responsible for ordering, approving, or failing to prevent actions that led to the deaths of protesters during the unrest. The demonstrations eventually grew into a nationwide movement that resulted in the collapse of her government.
Following the verdict, the tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death. The decision marked one of the most dramatic developments in Bangladesh’s recent political history.
The same ruling also affected other senior officials from her former administration. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was given a death sentence, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison term.
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In addition, the tribunal ordered the government to confiscate the properties belonging to Hasina and Kamal.
The verdict has further deepened political divisions in Bangladesh. Supporters of the former Prime Minister have questioned the fairness of the legal process, while opponents have argued that those responsible for the deaths of protesters must be held accountable.
Hasina’s decision to return despite the death sentence has attracted attention both inside and outside Bangladesh. Many observers see the move as a major political gamble, while supporters describe it as a sign of courage and commitment to her party.
Her comments came shortly after Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, said that the government is continuing efforts to bring Hasina back to the country. Speaking to reporters, the minister said the repatriation process had started during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and is now being pursued by the current government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The minister stated that Bangladesh is using all available diplomatic channels and does not believe there are any shortcomings in its efforts to secure Hasina’s return. She added that the process is ongoing and remains a priority for the government.
For now, Hasina remains in India, where she has been staying since leaving Bangladesh in 2024. Her announcement has created fresh debate about what could happen if she returns later this year.
Political analysts say her arrival could become a major turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Some believe it may increase tensions, while others feel it could open a new chapter in the country’s ongoing political crisis.
As December approaches, attention will remain focused on whether Sheikh Hasina follows through on her promise to return. If she does, she is likely to face immediate legal action and intense public scrutiny.
Despite the uncertainty, Hasina has made her position clear. She says she is prepared to return to Bangladesh, surrender before the courts, and face whatever consequences await her, even if that means risking her freedom or her life.
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