The Bangladesh state minister for foreign affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, has declared that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will face imprisonment if she chooses to return to the country. This statement surfaces amid speculations that the exiled leader of the Awami League is planning to return to Dhaka by December this year.

Sheikh Hasina, aged 78, was ousted from power during a violent student-led protest in Dhaka on August 5, 2024, and has since sought refuge in India following the downfall of her administration. In a significant legal development, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025, attributing the verdict to alleged crimes against humanity in connection with her government’s actions during the 2024 protests—a decision she has categorically deemed politically motivated.

Minister Clarifies Legal Obligations on Hasina’s Return

During an address on Monday, Minister Shama reiterated the government’s position, stating that they would adhere to legal protocols should Hasina return to the country. She elaborated, “If she surrenders, steps will be taken in accordance with the existing law. She will have to go to jail. The law will take its own course,” as reported by the state-controlled BSS news agency.

Furthermore, she emphasised that any venue of surrender, whether it occurs in India or Bangladesh, would necessitate Hasina’s imprisonment due to her prior conviction. The minister asserted that the government would not entertain considerations of statements made by a convicted individual, underlining their commitment to enforcing legal statutes without prejudice.

Recently, sources close to Hasina hinted at her potential return to Dhaka as a voluntary choice, prompting Shama to comment critically. She suggested that Hasina’s remarks might serve as an encouragement for Awami League leaders and supporters who have either fled or gone into hiding, rather than an earnest intention to surrender.

Extradition Attempts and Political Context

Following the tribunal’s ruling, the Bangladesh government has exerted pressure on New Delhi to extradite Hasina, so she can confront the charges against her in Bangladesh. Minister Shama indicated that efforts to repatriate Hasina had begun under an interim government and remain persistent under the current administration led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Shama’s comments reflect a wider narrative within the Bangladeshi political sphere and underscore tensions surrounding Hasina’s leadership and subsequent legal challenges. The minister delineated that the legal framework will dictate the necessary course of action once Hasina returns to the country.

In summary, the minister’s remarks come at a time when speculation regarding Hasina’s potential return is growing. Government officials maintain that the judicial process will proceed if she decides to surrender, confirming that she will be detained upon her arrival in Bangladesh.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share