Ousted former prime minister Hasina, sentenced to death in Bangladesh in a crimes against humanity case, has said she wants to return to the country by December this year. She left for India amid the 2024 anti-government uprising, and legal proceedings against her continued in her absence. Hasina did not announce a date or plan for how she would return.

In an audio address at Delhi’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club marking the second anniversary of her ouster, Hasina said anything could happen to her if she returned but that she would not abandon the decision. She has denied the allegations against her as politically motivated. United Nations investigators said her government had systematically used lethal violence to retain power.

Bangladesh’s government expressed anger toward India for allowing Hasina to participate in a public media event. Analyst David Bergman said she could be arrested immediately if she returned, while political groups might demand implementation of her sentence. The Awami League’s activities were banned after Hasina left, and it was not allowed to contest February’s election.