Hasina Seeks Return to Bangladesh Amid Extradition Deadlock
Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina seeks return to her country despite extradition hurdles and death sentence.
2 min read
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has formally requested a new passport, signaling her intent to return to Bangladesh in December, despite ongoing legal and political challenges. The move comes after two years in political exile in India, where she has been seeking asylum since her government was toppled in August 2024.
Extradition and Death Sentence
Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia last year, and Bangladesh has been attempting to extradite her from India since then. India, however, has refused several extradition demands, citing a treaty provision that allows rejection of politically motivated requests.
Protests and Political Fallout
The protests that led to Hasina’s ousting began over a controversial job quota law and escalated into violent demonstrations. Hasina claimed the U.S. government orchestrated the protests to remove her from power, citing her refusal to hand over control of a strategic island in the Bay of Bengal.
Legal and Human Rights Allegations
In late 2025, prosecutors in Bangladesh announced plans to seek the death penalty against Hasina, accusing her of ordering police to use lethal force against student demonstrators. The U.N. Human Rights Committee also accused her and her officials of systematic human rights violations during the protests.
Awami League Ban and Political Rejection
Hasina’s Awami League party was banned in Bangladesh in May 2025, and she was tried in absentia and sentenced to death in November 2025 for crimes against humanity that led to the deaths of over 1,400 protesters. She denounced the trial as politically motivated.
Hasina’s Stance and Government Response
Hasina has stated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, regardless of the risks. She has claimed that at least 20,000 Awami League members have been killed since her ousting, with thousands more arrested or displaced. Bangladesh’s foreign minister has rejected her passport request, calling her a fugitive criminal and emphasizing the country’s active extradition treaty with India.
Source: Breitbart
