Bangladesh has welcomed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return home later this year, but stressed that she must face justice as a death penalty convict.
Government adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Dhaka “welcomes” her decision, while making clear that Hasina will be required to stand trial before the International Crimes Tribunal–Bangladesh (ICT-BD).
Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 for alleged crimes against humanity linked to her government’s 2024 crackdown on student-led protests.
Officials assured that the trial will be transparent, broadcast publicly, and monitored by observers, with the tribunal retaining the authority to revise or even acquit depending on her defense.
India, where Hasina has lived since her ouster in August 2024, reiterated that any extradition request would be treated as a legal matter, not a political one.
Her planned return is expected to reignite political tensions in Bangladesh, with supporters of the Awami League and the current government bracing for a turbulent period ahead.
