‘I won’t return to face political assassination’: Hasina hits out at Yunus, says India’s concerns over its diplomats’ safety in Bangladesh ‘justified’

ICT verdict is ‘political’, says Hasina

Hasina criticised the verdict delivered by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which found her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 uprising.

She described the ruling as a “political assassination in judicial robes”, alleging she was denied the right to defend herself and to appoint lawyers of her choice. “This has been a witch hunt against the Awami League,” she said, while adding that her faith in Bangladesh’s constitutional system remained intact.

‘Lawlessness multiplied under Yunus’

Referring to recent unrest following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, Hasina blamed the interim government for failing to maintain order.

“This tragic killing reflects the lawlessness that uprooted my government and has multiplied under Yunus,” she said. “Violence has become the norm while the interim government either denies it or is powerless to stop it.”

India ties strained by interim rule

Hasina also linked the unrest to worsening ties with India, accusing the Yunus administration of issuing hostile statements and failing to protect minorities.

“The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus’ making,” she said, adding that India’s concerns over the safety of its diplomats were justified.

“Such incidents destabilise Bangladesh internally but also our relationships with neighbours who are watching with justified alarm. India sees the chaos, the persecution of minorities, and the erosion of everything we built together. When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses. This is the reality of Yunus’ Bangladesh,” she said.

‘Election without Awami League is a coronation’

On elections due in February, Hasina said barring her party made the process meaningless. “An election without the Awami League is not an election, but a coronation,” she said, warning that any government formed without broad participation would lack moral authority.