Dhaka, November 10: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will face execution of her death sentence if she returns to the country, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Md Aminul Islam said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Islam said Hasina had exhausted her legal options after missing the statutory deadline to appeal against her conviction.
A Dhaka court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in November 2025 after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity over the 2024 crackdown on student-led protests. The charges included incitement, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities.
Islam said the 30-day period allowed for filing an appeal had expired and no regular appeal could now be filed. He asserted that Hasina would have to face the execution of the verdict if she returned to Bangladesh.
The 79-year-old former prime minister has repeatedly said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December from India, where she has been living since fleeing the country in August 2024.
In an interview with AFP, Hasina said she was fully aware that she could face execution if she returned. However, she said fear would not determine her sense of duty towards the people.
Hasina's 15-year rule ended in August 2024 following a mass uprising led by students. She fled to India by helicopter as protesters stormed her official residence.
According to the United Nations, up to 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on the protests. Hasina, who did not appear before the court during her trial, described the proceedings as a "jurisprudential joke".
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry has sought her extradition from India. New Delhi has said the request is under legal review. Her continued stay in India has strained relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Hasina's lawyers have also reportedly requested the renewal of her passport this week, although the application did not specify where or when she intended to travel.
