Bangladesh advisor 'welcomes' Sheikh Hasina's return plans, says she must face justice

Bangladesh on Tuesday said it would welcome former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's reported plans to return to the country, with an adviser to Prime Minister Tariq Rehman saying she should face legal proceedings over the cases against her.

The remarks came after Hasina reportedly indicated in a recent interview that she may return to Bangladesh by the end of this year. The former prime minister has been living in India since leaving Dhaka following the collapse of her government in August 2024.

'Let her bring the best lawyers'

Speaking at a media briefing, Prime Minister's adviser for information and strategy Zahed Ur Rahman said the government welcomed Hasina's announcement because it wanted the judicial process to move forward.

"We welcome her announcement as we want to ensure justice," Zahed said.

He added that Hasina should be allowed to mount the strongest possible legal defence.

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"Let her bring the best lawyers in the world," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

Zahed also said many people in Bangladesh wanted the death sentence awarded to Hasina to be upheld.

The 78-year-old Awami League leader was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka in November 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity linked to her government's crackdown on student-led protests in 2024.

Hasina has rejected the verdict and the criminal cases against her, describing them as politically motivated.

Since the ruling, Bangladesh has repeatedly asked India to extradite the former prime minister to face trial.

India says extradition is a legal matter

Responding to questions earlier on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there had been no change in India's position on Hasina's stay in the country.

He reiterated that any request for extradition would be handled strictly as a legal matter.

Zahed, however, said procedural issues would not prevent Hasina's return and that New Delhi could coordinate with Dhaka if she decided to travel back.

Government says trial will be transparent

Zahed said proceedings before Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) would be conducted transparently, with observers allowed to monitor the trial and video coverage made available.

He also acknowledged that the court could review or even overturn the death sentence.

"It is possible that the court may revise the verdict or acquit her. That too could happen," he said, adding that the government was under no pressure regarding Hasina's reported plans to return.

The ICT-BD, which was established in 2010 during Hasina's tenure as prime minister, has previously seen some of its rulings stayed or overturned.