Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Aminul Islam, has described former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's declaration of returning to Bangladesh as a political stunt.

Speaking at his office on Monday (June 29), the chief prosecutor said, "Sheikh Hasina is living in exile in India with a death sentence for crimes against humanity hanging over her head. We also want her to return to the country and fight her own case. Her statement about returning is merely political grandstanding. If she has the courage, she should come back and face trial for the July massacre."

In an interview published by Indian media on Sunday, Sheikh Hasina said that she intended to return to Bangladesh later this year. However, in the eyes of the court, she remains a fugitive accused.

On November 17 last year, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Of the five charges brought against her, she received the death penalty on three counts and life imprisonment on the remaining two.