Bangladesh's ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to return to her country from exile despite facing a death sentence over a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2024.
In an audio address to an event in New Delhi in India on Wednesday, marking the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled her government, Hasina said it was her duty to her people to return voluntarily in December despite her conviction in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity.
Hasina fled to India in 2024 after student-led protests forced her from power, and she has remained in exile there ever since.
In 2025, a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death on charges of crimes against humanity for ordering a crackdown on the uprising.
A United Nations (UN) report said nearly 1,400 people were killed. Hasina denies any wrongdoing.
Bangladesh has repeatedly sought Hasina's extradition, but India has so far refused to hand her over.
"I know that they may put me in jail, or they may kill me, or anything may happen, but still I have to go back," Hasina said during her address.
"Fear cannot decide my duty to the people."
She also called for the ban on her Awami League party to be lifted and for political prisoners to be released.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a memorial museum dedicated to the 2024 uprising.
The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum is housed in Hasina's former official residence in the capital, Dhaka.
The project was launched by the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took office just three days after Hasina was ousted.
Mr Yunus joined Mr Rahman at the event.
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The museum features audio and video exhibits on the uprising, as well as personal belongings of those killed and newspaper clippings from the time.
It also showcases alleged political repression during Hasina's 15 years in power.
Mr Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Hasina's arch-rival, came to power with a landslide victory in February under a vote overseen by Mr Yunus' interim administration.
Hasina's Awami League was barred from participating.
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