A death sentence handed down by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has made Sheikh Hasina's return to Dhaka impossible for now. Hasina, who has been in New Delhi since last August, can challenge the tribunal's verdict in the Bangladesh Supreme Court, but only by appearing in person. It is highly unlikely she will do that. Advertisement

With the Awami League's political activities banned and the party effectively barred from the next February elections, the political field is now left open to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh - both regarded as pro-Pakistan. Under interim chief Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka has drifted closer to Islamabad since last August, fundamentalist groups have been emboldened, and open calls for Hindu genocide have made internation

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