Hasina’s passport bid a ‘Political Stunt’: Chief Prosecutor

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam has dismissed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s move to seek a new Bangladeshi passport and national identity card as a political stunt, saying she will not return to the country.

"What Sheikh Hasina is doing now is political stunt. She will not come back.''

He also said the prosecution would formally disclose details regarding Hasina's reported willingness to surrender before the court at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday (November 10).

His remarks came a day after Reuters reported that Hasina had applied for a new Bangladeshi passport and national identity card through her lawyers at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

According to a letter seen by Reuters, lawyers from London-based Matrix Chambers requested the issuance of fresh travel and identity documents for their client, citing her Bangladeshi citizenship and the country's obligations under international human rights conventions.

The lawyers said they had learnt that the previous interim government and relevant authorities had revoked Hasina's existing Bangladeshi passport and national identity card. They urged the authorities to process the applications promptly.

The request marks Hasina's first publicly known formal communication with a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission since she fled to India on August 5, 2024, following the mass uprising that ended her rule.

In an earlier interview with Reuters, Hasina said she intended to return to Bangladesh in December and surrender before a court. Her aides have said the date of her return would be announced after the necessary formalities are completed.

Reuters reported that her lawyers sent the letter to Bangladesh's Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi, Preeti Rahman.

The news agency also sought comments from the acting high commissioner and spokespersons for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, but received no immediate response.

Hasina has been living in India since her departure from Bangladesh in August 2024. In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over allegations of ordering a deadly crackdown during the July-August uprising. She has denied the allegations from India.


Her possible return comes as the government seeks to restore political stability after more than two years of upheaval. It could also have implications for Bangladesh-India relations, which deteriorated significantly after New Delhi provided refuge to the ousted prime minister.