Ousted Bangladeshi Leader Sheikh Hasina To Return From Exile In December

NEW DELHI — Ousted erstwhile Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday that she plans to return to her state from exile successful India successful December contempt facing a decease condemnation successful Bangladesh complete a bloody crackdown connected protesters successful 2024.

In an audio reside to an arena successful New Delhi marking nan 2nd day of nan uprising that toppled her government, Hasina said it was her work to her group to return voluntarily contempt her condemnation successful absentia connected charges of crimes against humanity.

Hasina fled to India successful 2024 aft student-led protests forced her from power, and she has remained successful exile location ever since.

In 2025, a Bangladeshi tribunal sentenced her to decease connected charges of crimes against humanity for ordering a crackdown connected nan uprising. The United Nations successful a study said astir 1,400 group were killed successful nan crackdown. Hasina denies immoderate wrongdoing.

Bangladesh has many times sought Hasina’s extradition, but India has truthful acold declined to manus her over.

“I cognize that they whitethorn put maine successful jail, aliases they whitethorn termination me, aliases thing whitethorn happen, but still I person to spell back,” Hasina said during her address. “Fear cannot determine my work to nan people.”

She besides called for nan prohibition connected her Awami League statement to beryllium lifted and for governmental prisoners to beryllium released.

Also connected Wednesday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a memorial depository dedicated to nan 2024 uprising. The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum is housed successful Hasina’s erstwhile charismatic residence successful nan capital, Dhaka.

The task was launched by nan interim authorities led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took agency connected Aug. 8, 2024, 3 days aft Hasina’s ouster. Yunus joined Rahman astatine nan museum’s inauguration.

The depository features audio and video exhibits connected nan uprising, arsenic good arsenic individual belongings of those killed and newspaper clippings from nan time. It besides documents alleged governmental repression during Hasina’s 15 years successful power.

Rahman, nan boy of erstwhile Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Hasina’s archrival, came to powerfulness pinch a landslide triumph successful February nether a ballot overseen by Yunus’ interim administration. Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating.

Saaliq and Alam constitute for nan Associated Press. Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh.