Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to return to Bangladesh in 2026, asserting that she will overcome every obstacle and conspiracy to do so. Hasina, who is currently in exile in India, fled the country in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that ousted her government. Her return comes despite a death sentence handed down in absentia by a Bangladesh court in November 2025.

Hasina denounced the death sentence verdict as illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated. According to reports from economictimes.indiatimes.com, she stated that her return is tied to restoring democratic rights and the rule of law rather than personal political ambition. She also accused the current leadership in Bangladesh of weakening democracy and failing to protect minority communities.

Describing her party's history and resilience, Hasina characterized the Awami League as a political force rooted in Bengal that has been banned multiple times but has made a comeback each time, according to gdelt. In related developments, scores of Awami League activists were arrested for defying a ban on the organization around June 23, 2026, as reported by gdelt.