00:00From exile, a defiant challenge.
00:10Bangladesh's former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, is daring the country's interim leadership
00:15to take her case to the world's highest criminal port, saying only an international forum can
00:20deliver justice.
00:22In an email interview to CNN News 18, Hasina challenged interim chief advisor, Mohamed
00:28Yunus, to move proceedings to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, arguing that only
00:33an impartial investigation can examine the charges against her.
00:37Hasina was blunt about the verdict delivered by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal,
00:42which sentenced her to death over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July protests.
00:48This is a political assassination dressed in judicial robes.
00:52She insists returning to Dhaka under the Yunus-led interim administration would put her life
00:56at risk, and says the refusal to go to the ICC speaks volumes.
01:01Yunus refuses because they know the ICC would acquit me.
01:05The ruling marks a first in Bangladesh's history.
01:08A former prime minister handed the death penalty.
01:11Ironically, it was Hasina herself who laid the foundation of the tribunal years earlier,
01:16before it was revamped following her ouster.
01:19Hasina fled the country amid violent unrest, and arrived in New Delhi, where she found refuge.
01:24While Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, India has not acted on those requests.
01:30Asked about India's role, Hasina expressed gratitude for the support she has received.
01:35I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me.
01:39She said accountability will ultimately come through global scrutiny and a return to democracy
01:43in Bangladesh, citing condemnation from international rights bodies.
01:47On strange ties with India under the interim setup, Hasina struck an optimistic note, calling the
01:54current phase temporary.
01:55To understand the stakes, one must look back to the upheaval that ended Hasina's 15-year rule.
02:01Protests erupted over a controversial job quota system, then widened into a nationwide uprising
02:07amid allegations of authoritarianism, election manipulation, and economic stress.
02:12As demonstrations swelled and security support faltered, Hasina resigned and fled.
02:18The army chief announced for departure, ushering in an interim government and a fragile political
02:23transition.
02:24Now, from exile, Hasina is reframing her battle, away from domestic courts and toward international
02:30law.
02:31Whether the ICC becomes the arena remains uncertain.
02:35What is clear is that Bangladesh's political future and its ties abroad hang in the balance.
02:42As of all, hang in.
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