Sheikh Hasina delivered an audio address at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Delhi, pledging to return to Bangladesh next year despite a death sentence for crimes against humanity. The speech, her first media appearance since fleeing Dhaka two years ago, was transmitted via audio link with no on‑camera presence, underscoring the political stakes of her planned return.
The speech, held on the second anniversary of her ouster, was transmitted via audio link with no on‑camera appearance. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has barred domestic media from broadcasting her statements and has urged India to extradite her.
India has distanced itself from the event, asserting no role in organising it and refusing to endorse the statements. Bangladesh has condemned the meeting as an affront to its sovereignty, demanding the extradition of Hasina and warning that the government will not tolerate the return of a former leader condemned to death.
Reports differ on the death‑sentence date – either November 2025 or the preceding November – and on the exact month of her planned return, with some stating December and others the end of the year.