Bangladesh's ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to return from exile despite facing a death sentence linked to a deadly 2024 crackdown on protesters. Her statement came as she marked the second anniversary of her removal from power.
Key facts
- Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence.
- The death sentence relates to a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2024.
- Her speech marked the second anniversary of her ouster.
- She fled Bangladesh by helicopter after nearly two months of protests in 2024.
- The 2024 protests left nearly 1,400 people dead, according to the United Nations.
Bangladesh’s ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to return to her country from exile, despite facing a death sentence, according to Sky News.
The death sentence stems from a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2024, the same period that ultimately led to her removal from power.
Hasina made the announcement in a speech marking the second anniversary of her ouster, according to NPR.
NPR reported that Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter following nearly two months of protests in 2024.
The United Nations says those protests left nearly 1,400 people dead, according to NPR.
Hasina’s stated intention to return comes despite the legal jeopardy she faces at home, where the death sentence remains in place over the crackdown.
Why it matters
Sheikh Hasina's pledge to return sets up a potential confrontation over accountability for one of the deadliest periods in Bangladesh's recent history. Her fate carries significant implications for the country's political stability two years after her dramatic exit from power.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sheikh Hasina facing a death sentence?
According to Sky News, the death sentence relates to a bloody crackdown on protesters in Bangladesh in 2024.
How did Sheikh Hasina leave Bangladesh?
NPR reports she fled the country by helicopter following nearly two months of protests in 2024.
How many people died in the 2024 protests?
The United Nations says nearly 1,400 people died during the protests, according to NPR.