Favorite to become Bangladesh prime minister returns after 17 years in exile

Tarique Rahman, the favorite to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister, is returning to the country after 17 years in exile ahead of a historic general election.

This sixty-year-old is the leading figure of the influential Zia family and the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

The party he leads, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is eyeing a return to power when Bangladesh goes to the polls in the new year.

Rahman, who has lived in London since 2008, is expected to become the country’s new leader if the BNP becomes the largest party.

Rahman’s return comes following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year.

He was the subject of various criminal investigations launched while his party, the Awami League, was in power, but was cleared of all charges against him when the regime fell.

Hasina lives in exile in India and her party is unlikely to be allowed to participate in the elections, which many consider one of the most important in Bangladesh’s history.

Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death for her role in suppressing anti-government protests.

According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people died in the student-led unrest.

Hasina, who was tried in absentia, has denied committing crimes against humanity.