Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina vows to return despite believing she 'may be killed'

Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina said in an email statement, 'I may be killed. I may be arrested. I may be sent to prison,' adding, 'I am fully aware of my fate. Still, I want to go back because my people are calling me.' Hasina reiterated her determination to return to the country by December.

The 78-year-old former leader fled by helicopter to India in August 2024 as crowds stormed her palace, ending her 15-year, iron-fisted rule after a student-led uprising. She has lived in exile since and faces multiple charges in Bangladesh being tried in absentia.

Her announcement could reignite political tension in the country; supporters view a return as an assertion of legitimacy, while opponents call it an attempt to evade justice. Analysts are watching closely how the statement affects Bangladesh's fragile political transition.