Bangladesh has responded positively to reports that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina intends to return to Dhaka, insisting that she should stand trial and face the consequences of her conviction. The 78-year-old has been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh after her government fell in August 2024 amid a large-scale anti-government movement.
Last week, people close to Hasina indicated that she was planning to return to Dhaka voluntarily before the end of this year in an effort to revive the Awami League.
Responding to the reported plans, Zahed Ur Rahman, an advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rehman, said Hasina should return and contest the allegations of "crimes against humanity" linked to her government's crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 with the strongest legal representation available.
"We welcome her announcement as we want to ensure justice," Rahman said during a media briefing. He added that the "people of the country want her death penalty to be upheld for the crimes she committed, and in that case her capital punishment will be executed as the people want to see that."
"Let her bring the best lawyers in the world," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.
Rahman said proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) (ICT-BD) would be conducted transparently, with the possibility of observation by independent monitors and video coverage of the trial. He also noted that the court retained the authority to modify its decision or clear Hasina of the charges.
"That too could happen," he said, while maintaining that the government was not facing any pressure regarding her proposed return.
Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was removed from office after a violent student-led street protest on August 5, 2024.
Rehman pointed out that decisions delivered by the ICT-BD, which was established during the Awami League government in 2010, had previously been suspended or overturned.
Rahman also stated that "procedural issues will not debar her return" and said India could coordinate with Dhaka to facilitate the necessary arrangements.
In November last year, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia after convicting her of alleged "crimes against humanity" in connection with the government's response to the 2024 student protests. Hasina has rejected the death sentence, the criminal convictions and all charges against her, describing them as "politically motivated."
Following the verdict, the Bangladeshi government has repeatedly called on New Delhi to extradite the former prime minister so she can face legal proceedings.
India has maintained that its position on the matter remains unchanged. Addressing the issue, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "There is no change in our approach to the matter. Any extradition matter is a legal issue, and it will be dealt with accordingly."
Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated sharply after the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus assumed power following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.
Both countries later began efforts to restore bilateral ties after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, attended the inauguration of Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh's prime minister in Dhaka on February 17.
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