BANGLADESH: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be arrested and sent to prison if she returns from self-imposed exile in India, Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday, days after the ousted leader announced plans to return home and surrender before a court.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said Hasina is a convicted individual under Bangladeshi law and would face legal proceedings immediately upon her return.
“Sheikh Hasina is a convicted criminal. If she surrenders, action will be taken against her as per the laws of Bangladesh,” Obaed said, adding that she would be jailed while further judicial proceedings continue.
Hasina has been living in New Delhi since August 2024, after a mass uprising forced her from power following months of nationwide protests. The United Nations estimated that around 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on demonstrators, triggering international concern over human rights violations.
In November 2025, Bangladesh’s war crimes tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for her alleged role in ordering the violent suppression of the student-led protests. The former premier has consistently denied the charges, calling the case politically motivated.
The current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, assumed office in February 2026 following national elections and has pledged to restore political stability after two years of unrest.
Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Hasina so she can face legal proceedings. New Delhi has acknowledged the request and said it is examining the matter while continuing to engage with Bangladesh's new administration.
In her first interview since leaving office, Hasina told Reuters she intends to return to Bangladesh voluntarily in December 2026. She also urged leaders and supporters of her banned Awami League party, many of whom are living abroad or in hiding, to return and face the courts together.
Responding to those remarks, Obaed said the former prime minister's statement appeared to be an attempt to rally fugitive party members.
The political future of Bangladesh remains uncertain as authorities continue pursuing legal action against Hasina, while her supporters maintain that the charges against her are politically driven. Her planned return is expected to become a major test for the country's judicial system and political stability.
