National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip in parliament Nahid Islam stated that a death sentence awaits Sheikh Hasina if she returns to Bangladesh. Speaking on Friday at an event at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka’s Kakrail, he said the government should take diplomatic and legal steps to bring her back and implement the verdict. He claimed that the country had already suffered sixteen years of destruction and that Hasina’s return should only be for the execution of the judgment.

Responding to journalists, Nahid Islam said the decision on Hasina’s return and the implementation of the verdict rests with the Bangladesh government, which should coordinate with Delhi. He alleged that Hasina’s decisions depend on permission from Delhi and that the issue is tied to diplomatic and political understanding between the two capitals. He also said participants of the July uprising are ready to face any situation to protect the country’s sovereignty and economy.

He warned that if any attempt is made to inflame political tensions around Hasina or the Awami League, the government would suffer the most damage.