Fugitive Banned AL Leaders Scheme to Turn Hasina’s ‘Return Home’ Into a New Fundraising Scam
A campaign surrounding former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s reported plan to return to Bangladesh has sparked renewed activity among party leaders and supporters living abroad. The campaign has also raised concerns over possible fundraising from expatriates by promoting the idea that Hasina will return to Bangladesh in December.
Former PM Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024, is facing a death sentence in connection with the July 2024 mass uprising. Her possible return would therefore have significant legal consequences. The current campaign has drawn comparisons with Ms. Hasina’s return to Bangladesh in May 2007. At the time, the military-backed caretaker government had reportedly warned airlines against bringing her to Bangladesh. British Airways refused to board her after the Bangladesh authorities indicated that an aircraft carrying her would not be allowed to land.
Ms. Hasina eventually returned on May 7, 2007, following negotiations with the then government. According to the report, some Awami League leaders and activists living abroad have recently become active after claims that Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh. A UK-based lawyer supporting the Awami League has also promoted an initiative linked to the alleged return plan. In a video circulated on social media, the lawyer claimed that around 100 lawyers had announced plans to travel to Bangladesh and that efforts were underway to arrange about 10 aircraft and bring around 220 foreign media organisations to cover Ms. Hasina’s return.
The lawyer also said that Awami League-affiliated organisations in the UK, including the Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Tanti League, Krishak League, Sramik League and Mahila League, were working together on the initiative. The claims have received significant attention on social media. However, questions have been raised about the legal and practical feasibility of the proposed arrangements, including the involvement of foreign lawyers and media organisations.
Under Bangladesh’s legal system, foreign lawyers cannot independently conduct legal proceedings in the country without meeting the relevant requirements of the Bangladesh Bar Council. Similarly, the entry of foreign nationals and media organisations is subject to immigration and visa regulations. The report also raises concerns that claims about arranging aircraft, lawyers and foreign media coverage could be used to collect donations from expatriates. Her legal position is also a major factor. The government has been seeking her return from India under the existing extradition framework between the two countries.
Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, said on July 12 that Ms. Hasina would be arrested and sent to prison if she returned to Bangladesh. He also questioned the significance of statements suggesting that Ms. Hasina and Awami League leaders and activists would return and surrender together, given that she is currently outside Bangladesh. The Chief Prosecutor said, “It seems to us that his statement has no other reason than to somehow keep his leaders and activists in Bangladesh a little excited or to create an unstable environment.”
If Ms. Hasina is brought back to Bangladesh or found in the country, she would first be taken into custody because of the death sentence against her. Her legal options, including whether she can appeal the verdict, would then be determined through the relevant legal process. If an appeal is legally available, further proceedings would depend on its outcome. If there is no scope for an appeal, the existing sentence would remain in force. The developments have therefore added a new dimension to the activities of banned Awami League leaders abroad, with the alleged return campaign drawing attention not only for its political implications but also for questions surrounding fundraising, legal procedures and the feasibility of the proposed arrangements.
