Ousted Bangladeshi leader vows to return from exile despite facing a death sentence

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has publicly declared her intention to return to Bangladesh from exile, despite currently facing a death sentence. The announcement coincided with the second anniversary of her removal from power, which followed a period of intense civil unrest in 2024.

Hasina fled the country by helicopter in 2024 after nearly two months of widespread protests. According to United Nations figures, the demonstrations resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths, marking a significant and violent transition period in the nation's recent political history.