‘They May Kill Me, Put Me In Jail’: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reaffirmed that she will return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence, imprisonment and the possibility of being killed. In a statement from India, the Awami League leader indicated that she is ready to surrender in a courtroom upon her return to Bangladesh. In her statement, the former PM noted that she could never leave her country regardless of the situation. Hasina’s statements are made almost two years after she left Bangladesh due to the activist youth uprising that led to her leaving office.
‘They May Kill Me, Put Me In Jail’: Sheikh Hasina Says She Is Ready to Face Jail or Even Death
In a strong message, Hasina said she is fully aware of the dangers awaiting her if she returns to Bangladesh but remains determined to do so. “They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me. Still, I have to go. If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed,” she said. She also alleged that leaders and workers of her Awami League party continue to face severe repression, adding that returning to Bangladesh is both a political and personal responsibility.
Why Is Sheikh Hasina Living in Exile?
Hasina has been living in India since 2024 after mass anti-government protests forced her to leave Bangladesh. The demonstrations followed a violent crackdown on student-led protests, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and widespread unrest. In 2025, Bangladesh’s war-crimes tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia over charges linked to the crackdown-charges she has consistently denied, calling them politically motivated. Meanwhile, her Awami League party has also been banned, further escalating the political crisis in the country.
What Happens Next?
Sheikh Hasina has made it known that she, alongside a few important People from Awami League, will return to Bangladesh most likely in December. The possible return of Sheikh Hasina is considered to be one of the most significant political events in Bangladesh’s recent history. The country has been continuously requesting India to extradite Sheikh Hasina and has also observed that New Delhi is working on the problem. Despite the fact that the legal situation and political background are ambiguous, Sheikh Hasina underlined her wish to return.
