Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina calls for lifting ban on her party

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for the ban on her Awami League party to be lifted and reiterated her intention to return to her country in December. Hasina, 78, made these statements during a media interaction hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia in New Delhi, on the second anniversary of her ouster. She spoke via an audio message, citing unspecified reasons for not appearing on video. Hasina stated that despite potential fabricated cases against her, fear would not deter her duty to the people. She had previously told Reuters she planned to return by year-end and surrender to authorities. Hasina fled Dhaka two years ago after protests ended her 20-year premiership. She was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 for ordering a crackdown on a student uprising, charges she denies. Bangladesh's current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, had warned media outlets not to publish her statements due to a court order. Dhaka has repeatedly requested Hasina's extradition from India, which is currently under examination.