Bangladesh ‘welcomes’ Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return home, says she must face justice ::: "People of the country want her death penalty to be upheld"

Bangladesh ‘welcomes’ Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return home, says she must face justice

Zahed Ur Rahman says the 'people of the country want her death penalty to be upheld for the crimes she committed, and in that case her capital punishment will be executed'

Those were the days : Sheikh Hasia and Khaleeda Zia 

“We welcome her announcement as we want to ensure justice,” prime minister’s adviser for information and strategy Zahed Ur Rahman said at a media briefing on Tuesday.  

Rahman said the “people of the country want her death penalty to be upheld for the crimes she committed, and in that case her capital punishment will be executed as the people want to see that”.

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

He said that the proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) (ICT-BD) would remain transparent and could be monitored by observers and broadcast through video coverage.

Rahman said it is also possible the court can revise the verdict against Hasina or acquit her. 

“That too could happen,” he said, adding that the government was not under any pressure over her planned return.

There are previous instances where the rulings of the ICT-BD, formed during Awami League regime in 2010, have been stayed or overturned. Rahman said “procedural issues will not debar her return” and Delhi can make arrangements after consulting Dhaka on the matter.

In November last, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in Dhaka for alleged "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests in 2024.  

Can India play a part ?? 

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam said ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina should return to Bangladesh so that her death sentence can be carried out.

“Today, we saw an interview in which someone said there is a plan to return to the country in December. The country has already suffered 16 years of destruction. We, too, want her to return, but for the execution of the death sentence,” he said.  

Since the verdict, Dhaka has been urging New Delhi to extradite her to face the law.

Sheik Hasina on her part has dismissed the death penalty, criminal convictions and charges against her as "politically motivated".