NEW DELHI/DHAKA | July 22, 2026
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reaffirmed her intention to return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence and multiple legal cases, saying she is fully aware of the risks, including imprisonment or execution, but remains determined to face the country’s judicial process.
In a written interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Hasina said she would return to Bangladesh and appear before the court, dismissing concerns over her personal safety and rejecting allegations against her as politically motivated. Her comments come nearly two years after she left Bangladesh during the political turmoil that led to the collapse of her government in August 2024.
“I Know the Risks”
Hasina acknowledged that returning to Bangladesh could result in her imprisonment or even execution.
“I will return to Bangladesh. I will appear before the court. They may send me to prison. They may even try to hang me. I know those risks,” she told Kyodo News.
The former prime minister did not specify when she intends to return, although in an earlier interview with Reuters she said she and senior Awami League leaders planned to return from India around December 2026 and surrender before the courts.
Rejects Conviction
Hasina rejected the legal proceedings against her, describing the conviction related to the 2024 student-led uprising as politically motivated.
She maintained that she had not ordered the killing of protesters during the nationwide unrest that ultimately forced her from office. Instead, she argued that an independent forensic investigation by international experts could establish how people died and identify those responsible.
Bangladesh Seeks Her Extradition
Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina so she can face trial. Indian authorities have confirmed receiving the request and said it is being reviewed through the appropriate legal and judicial processes.
Since leaving office, Hasina has remained in India while several legal cases have been filed against her in Bangladesh. The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced her to death in absentia in connection with allegations related to the 2024 crackdown, a verdict she strongly disputes.
Calls for Democracy and Accountability
In the interview, Hasina said Bangladesh needs reconciliation but argued that lasting stability can only be achieved through democratic governance and due process.
She said reconciliation should not come at the expense of accountability and stressed that those responsible for crimes should face legal proceedings conducted under the rule of law. She also expressed hope that Bangladesh could move toward recovery if democratic institutions are restored and citizens are allowed to determine the country’s future through democratic means.
International Attention
Hasina’s latest remarks are expected to intensify debate over Bangladesh’s political future and the legal challenges surrounding her planned return.
Human rights organizations and international observers have closely followed developments since the political transition in 2024, with some raising concerns about legal procedures while also emphasizing the importance of accountability for any human rights violations.
What Comes Next?
It remains unclear when Sheikh Hasina will return or how Indian authorities will respond to Bangladesh’s extradition request. If she returns voluntarily, she is expected to face immediate legal proceedings under the cases currently pending against her.
For now, her statement signals that she intends to continue challenging the allegations against her through the courts, despite acknowledging the significant personal risks involved.
