Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared she will return to her country after two years of exile in India, even though she faces the death penalty.

The 78-year-old, who was ousted following a brutal crackdown on protesters in 2024, made the announcement on Wednesday via video link at an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, alongside her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other Awami League leaders, including former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.

She said the exact date of return will be announced 'when the time comes', but she wants it to be in December this year. Hasina also added that the ban on her Awami League party should be lifted. Her son said they are not in contact with the current government.

Following Hasina's failed attempt to suppress the 2024 student-led revolution that toppled her from power, she fled to New Delhi via helicopter and has not returned to Bangladesh since. Last year, the ousted leader refused to attend her trial in Dhaka, where she was found guilty of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. She was sentenced to hang for crimes against humanity.

Her promise to return comes as Bangladesh and India seek to repair strained ties. Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition; however, New Delhi has only said the request is being examined through the legal process.

With newly-elected Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in power, relations between the two neighbors have improved, and India has invited him to a BRICS summit in September. However, ahead of Hasina's address, India's Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal sought to distance New Delhi from it, stating: 'The government has no involvement whatsoever in it, neither does it endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum.'

Source: www.aljazeera.com