Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she plans to return to Bangladesh from exile in India around December and voluntarily surrender before the courts, despite facing a death sentence in her home country.

Hasina told Reuters that senior leaders of her outlawed Awami League also intended to return and surrender. The former prime minister, who was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 over her alleged role in the crackdown on the 2024 student-led protests, said she was prepared to face arrest or even death after returning home.

Hasina Says She Wants To Die On Bangladesh Soil

Speaking during a nearly hour-long telephone interview with Reuters, Hasina said she and senior Awami League leaders were planning to return to Bangladesh around December.

“They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me,” the 78-year-old leader said.

Hasina said the alleged repression of Awami League leaders and workers had strengthened her resolve to return despite the risks.

“Still, I have to go. My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression. If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed,” Hasina said.

Hasina had previously said she intended to return to Bangladesh. However, her comments to Reuters marked the first time she publicly provided a timeline for her return and said other senior Awami League leaders also planned to surrender.

Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who also faces a death sentence, is among those expected to return, according to Reuters.

Hasina Has Lived In India Since Fleeing Bangladesh

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, after weeks of anti-government protests backed by Islamist elements forced her from office.

The student-led uprising ended her two-decade rule as prime minister across multiple terms.

Hasina subsequently came to India after New Delhi provided her refuge, a development that significantly strained relations between India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025 over her alleged role in the crackdown on the 2024 anti-government protests.

Hasina has consistently denied allegations of excesses during the crackdown.

Dhaka Continues To Seek Hasina’s Extradition

Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition from India, first under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and later under the BNP government headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Hasina said she had not consulted any foreign government about her decision to return to Bangladesh.

“The authorities in Dhaka want to take me back, they are repeatedly sending letters to India seeking to have me sent back,” she said.

“I will go myself,” Hasina added.

India Says Extradition Request Under Examination

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said Bangladesh’s extradition request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes.

Responding to a question in April about Bangladesh raising the issue of Hasina’s extradition, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India would continue to engage constructively with the government in Dhaka.

“The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We will continue to engage constructively on the issue with all stakeholders… I would like to emphasise that the External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties,” Jaiswal said.

“Both sides agreed to explore proposals to deepen the partnership through relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow up official meetings are expected soon, and views were also exchanged on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” he added.

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