Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, 78, has vowed to return home by the end of the year despite facing a death sentence, two years after a student-led uprising forced her from power.
Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return home by the end of the year, despite facing a death sentence, according to the Guardian. The 78-year-old former leader said she intends to make the journey by December, roughly two years after she was forced from office.
“They may put me in a cell. They may kill me. Anything may happen, but still I have to go,” Hasina said, underscoring her determination to return even in the face of the threat against her life.
Hasina was removed from power in a bloody uprising led by students, the Guardian reported. The unrest brought an end to her time in office and led to her going into exile.
Now, two years on from that upheaval, Hasina is signalling her intent to re-enter the country’s political landscape, framing her planned return as something she feels compelled to do despite the personal risks involved.
The Guardian reports that her planned comeback comes even though she faces a death sentence, a detail that adds significant weight to her stated resolve to go back regardless of the potential consequences.
Why it matters
The planned return of a former prime minister under a death sentence could reignite political tensions in Bangladesh two years after a student-led uprising reshaped the country's leadership. How authorities and the public respond may shape the nation's stability in the months ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sheikh Hasina?
Sheikh Hasina, 78, is Bangladesh's ousted prime minister, who was removed from power in a student-led uprising two years ago, according to the Guardian.
When does she plan to return to Bangladesh?
The Guardian reports that Hasina plans to return home by the end of the year, with a comeback planned for December.
What risk does she face if she returns?
According to the Guardian, Hasina faces a death sentence. She said she may be imprisoned or killed but is still determined to return.