'They can kill, arrest or torture me': Sheikh Hasina says she's ready for Bangladesh return despite risks involved

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said she is ready to return to her country, despite the risks involved. In a virtual interaction, Hasina recalled how she had been targeted in her own country in the past but emerged undeterred.Sheikh Hasina has lived in India in self-exile since August 2024 (AFP)"Now I have decided...Yes, I know. If I go back, the moment I will land they can kill me, or they can arrest me and torture me," Hasina said, addressing a Washington-based press conference virtually.Her remarks come weeks after she said she intends to return home on her own by December. However, she didn't specify a timeline for her return in the latest interaction.Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy was present at the US press conference. Criticising Bangladesh's Tarique Rahman-led government, Joy slammed extra-judicial killings and jailing of Awami League leaders since Hasina's ouster.Hasina thanks India for shelterHasina, whose Awami League government was ousted from power followed by student-led protests in Bangladesh, has been in self-exile in India since August 2024. Addressing the US-based presser, she also thanked the Indian government for giving her shelter.Also Read: Indian envoy on giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina: 'It was our duty...she was still Bangladesh PM'“I was not prepared to leave my country, but somehow I reached here. I thank the Indian government and the people here,” she said.She also alleged that while over 600 cases were filed against her, those who were actually behind the crimes were granted immunity by the interim government in Bangladesh.Hasina's first presser since ousterTwo years after fleeing Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina held her first press conference in Delhi at a Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia event in August this year.She said that although she was forced away from her country in 2024, she was “never separated” from her people.During the interaction, Hasina was asked about her expected date of return to Bangladesh, to which she had said she would reveal the details “when the time comes”.Also Read: Exclusive: Return to Bangladesh not about power but to stand by people, says ex-PM Sheikh HasinaLater, Sheikh Hasina also interacted with HT in her first telephonic interview with Indian media and alleged the persecution and torture of Awami League leaders in Bangladesh.She also said she intends to return by December. “I have said I intend to return by December because Bangladesh’s political crisis cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. I will announce the specific date, time and point of entry in due course,” she said during the interview in September.