Former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted two years ago in a mass uprising and has been living in exile in India, announced that she will return to Bangladesh in December to surrender before the court. In a phone interview with Reuters from Delhi, she said the Bangladesh government is seeking her extradition from India, but she intends to return voluntarily. Hasina urged her exiled party leaders to come back with her and expressed confidence in the judicial process, saying she wants to prove the trial will expose the court as a farce.

Her announcement has stirred intense discussion in political and media circles, coinciding with the second anniversary of the July uprising. Critics and commentators questioned the timing and sincerity of her plan, noting her past avoidance of political risks. Nahid Islam, head of the NCP and a leader of the July revolution, stated that the government, not Hasina, will decide how and when she returns to face her death sentence.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that the ruling Awami League aims to act before losing influence in the administration and judiciary, learning from the BNP’s earlier strategic mistakes.