Ousted Bangladeshi leader vows to return from exile despite facing a death sentence

Then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks during a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP hide caption Ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina said she plans to return to her country despite being sentenced to death by a court there during her two-year exile. In her first public address since fleeing to India after a violent crackdown on a youth-led uprising in 2024, she said: "Whatever fate awaits me, I will return to my people." Hasina added: "I may be detained, I may be sent to prison, they may try to enforce verdicts issued in fabricated cases, but fear cannot decide my duty to the people." The 78-year-old, who served five terms as Bangladesh's prime minister, made the announcement in an audio address at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi on Wednesday. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, also joined via video link from Washington, D.C. Hasina's speech marked the second anniversary of her ouster.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open NPR News ↗