By SHEIKH SAALIQ and JULHAS ALAM (AP) 鈥� Ousted former Bangladeshi Prime Minister said Wednesday that she plans to return to her country from exile in India in December despite facing a death sentence in Bangladesh over a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2024.
In an audio address to an event in New Delhi marking the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled her government, Hasina said it was her duty to her people to return voluntarily despite her conviction in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity.
Hasina fled to India in 2024 after student-led protests forced her from power, and she has remained in exile there ever since.
In 2025, a Bangladeshi court on charges of crimes against humanity for ordering a crackdown on the uprising. The United Nations in a report said nearly 1,400 people were killed in the crackdown. Hasina denies any wrongdoing.
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina鈥檚 extradition, but India has so far declined to hand her over.
鈥淚 know that they may put me in jail, or they may kill me, or anything may happen, but still I have to go back,鈥� Hasina said during her address. 鈥淔ear cannot decide my duty to the people.鈥�
She also called for the ban on her Awami League party to be lifted and for political prisoners to be released.
Also on Wednesday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a memorial museum dedicated to the 2024 uprising. The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum is housed in Hasina鈥檚 former official residence in the capital, Dhaka.
The project was launched by the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate who took office on Aug. 8, 2024, three days after Hasina鈥檚 ouster. Yunus joined Rahman at the museum鈥檚 inauguration.
The museum features audio and video exhibits on the uprising, as well as personal belongings of those killed and newspaper clippings from the time. It also documents alleged political repression during Hasina鈥檚 15 years in power.
, the son of former and Hasina鈥檚 archrival, came to power with a landslide victory in February under a vote overseen by Yunus鈥� interim administration. Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating.
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Alam reported from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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