Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina seeks passport in sign of Bangladesh return plan

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has submitted a request for a new passport and identity card, signaling her intention to return to Bangladesh after living in self-imposed exile in India for the past two years. This move aligns with Hasina's earlier promise to make her return to the country in December. The 64-year-old politician informed the Reuters news agency that she intends to surrender to a court in Bangladesh and stated that the date of her surrender would be announced once all necessary formalities are completed.

Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal had sentenced Hasina to death in absentia in November 2024 for ordering a violent crackdown on student protests that erupted in the country that year. According to United Nations estimates, the violent protests may have resulted in the deaths of around 1,400 people. Through a letter addressed to the Bangladeshi government, as reported by Reuters, Hasina has requested that her application be processed with urgency, asserting her Bangladeshi citizenship.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed revealed that both the foreign and law ministries are currently investigating the matter, including assessing the legal validity of the application and determining Hasina's eligibility to apply for the documents.