Dhaka, June 28 -- Nearly two years after being forced from office, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh before the end of the year despite facing a death sentence and a ban on the political activities of the Awami League.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Hasina rejected the verdict against her as politically motivated, defended her party's record in government and accused Bangladesh's current leadership of dismantling democracy and abandoning the principles of the Liberation War.

Her comments came as the Awami League marked its 77th founding anniversary on Jun 23 in defiance of the nationwide ban, with dozens of activists reportedly arrested during security operations.

Addressing speculation over h...