Sheikh Hasina's planned December return from India follows a student-led uprising that culminated in her ouster and a death sentence linked to hundreds of protest deaths. The administration of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman opposes her entry and has formally asked Indian authorities to extradite her instead. Her lawyers have attempted to secure identity papers in New Delhi, but her party insists she will cross the border regardless of whether official travel documents are granted. This potential spectacle threatens to ignite widespread political unrest across a nation already managing high living costs and power shortages.
Key points
Sheikh Hasina plans to voluntarily surrender in Bangladesh this December despite facing a…: Sheikh Hasina plans to voluntarily surrender in Bangladesh this December despite facing an active death sentence.
Bangladesh's government has refused to issue identity documents to Sheikh Hasina after la…: Bangladesh's government has refused to issue identity documents to Sheikh Hasina after labeling her a terrorist.
Political analysts caution that Sheikh Hasina's arrival risks igniting severe unrest amid…: Political analysts caution that Sheikh Hasina's arrival risks igniting severe unrest amid existing fuel shortages and high living costs.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Here are details of Hasina's plans.
WHY DID HASINA FLEE?
Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after a deadly student-led uprising ended a long tenure that saw her widely accused of crushing dissent and dismantling democratic checks and balances, accusations she denies.Many opposition leaders lived abroad during that period, and the opposition often boycotted elections.
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina seeks fresh passport, national ID for Bangladesh return
A Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death in November last year for ordering a deadly crackdown on protesters in 2024 that the UN estimates killed as many as 1,400.
A ban since her government's fall kept Hasina's Awami League party from competing in the last general election in February, bringing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power.
Tarique Rahman, the son of Hasina's biggest political rival Khaleda Zia, is now prime minister. Rahman himself lived in self-imposed exile in London when Hasina was in power.
WHY DOES SHE NEED NEW TRAVEL DOCUMENTS?
Months after Hasina fled, an interim government that took office revoked her passport and national identity document. On November 9, her…
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