Bangladesh's Hasina Plans December Return Despite Death Sentence
Sheikh Hasina is Bangladesh's ousted former prime minister. She now lives in exile in India.
Hasina said she plans to return to Bangladesh in December. This is despite facing a death sentence there.
She spoke in an audio message to a New Delhi event. The event marked two years since protests removed her from power.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina in 2025. She was found guilty of crimes against humanity.
She was sentenced to death for ordering a crackdown on protesters. That crackdown happened in 2024.
The United Nations says nearly 1,400 people died in the crackdown. Hasina said she will surrender voluntarily when she returns.
She plans to surrender alongside former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. He also faces a death sentence.
Hasina asked leaders to lift the ban on her political party. Bangladesh has asked India to extradite Hasina. Reports say India has declined to send her back.
Key Terms 4
- exile Living away from your home country, often to avoid punishment or danger.
- International Crimes Tribunal A Bangladesh court that judges serious crimes like crimes against humanity.
- extradite To send a person back to another country to face legal charges.
- in absentia A trial or conviction that happens without the accused person present.