‘I may be killed’: Ex-premier Sheikh Hasina vows return to Bangladesh despite risks

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Toppled in August 2024 by a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year, iron-fisted rule, Sheikh Hasina fled by helicopter to India as crowds stormed her palace. — AFP pic

NEW DELHI, July 29 — Bangladesh’s fugitive ex-premier Sheikh Hasina told AFP she was determined to return to her country by December despite fearing for her life.

“I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison,” Hasina, 78, said in an emailed response to questions by AFP.

“I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me.”

Toppled in August 2024 by a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year, iron-fisted rule, Hasina fled by helicopter to India as crowds stormed her palace.

The United Nations says up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns as she tried to cling to power.

In November, Hasina was found guilty by a Dhaka court of crimes against humanity and sentenced to be hanged — a verdict she described as “political vengeance dressed up as law”.

The former prime minister, who has been living in a secret location in India, insisted there was no pressure for her to return.

Relations between India and Bangladesh, strained under the interim administration that took power after Hasina’s fall, have stabilised since Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office in February.

Dhaka has formally requested Hasina’s extradition — a request New Delhi has said is “under examination”.

Hasina said the issue had “no connection” with her decision to return.

“I can say that I am staying in India with due respect and dignity,” she said.

“Indian authorities have not discussed extradition with me. I myself have decided to return to my country.”

No apology 

Rights groups have long accused Hasina’s administration of a litany of abuses, including the murder of rivals, suppression of opposition parties, rigged courts and one-sided elections.

But Hasina defended her record, saying many of the allegations were “politically constructed campaigns”.

“Every time allegations were made, investigations were opened and those involved in crimes were brought to justice.”

Hasina also dismissed allegations that she sanctioned excessive force during the student protests that led to her ouster.

“My government showed the highest level of patience and tried to guide the student movement towards a peaceful solution,” she said.

She characterised the uprising as more than “merely an ordinary student protest”.

“It had become a planned operation driven by hidden instructions, organised violence, propaganda and the objective of overthrowing the government,” she said.

She refused to comment about the nationwide youth-led protests in India that forced the education minister to resign last week.

Asked if she planned to resume political activity upon her return — with her Awami League party effectively banned in Bangladesh — Hasina did not offer a direct answer.

“Power is not my destination. Service to the people is.”

Hasina said she had “sympathy for every family that lost a loved one” but stopped short of offering an apology.

She also sidestepped questions about whether she regretted any of her decisions during the uprising.

“Decisions of state are not made by one person alone, and they cannot be judged honestly by isolating one moment from the whole crisis,” she said. — AFP