Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years in Exile, Acquitted in All Cases

• Tarique Rahman, BNP acting chairman and Khaleda Zia's son, returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years in exile in London.
• He landed at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, greeted by a large number of supporters, with heightened security across the country.
• Rahman, 60, had been living in London since 2008 and announced his return earlier this month.
• He was previously sentenced in absentia for the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack and faced 84 cases, including corruption and money laundering.
• Following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, Rahman has been acquitted in all 84 cases against him.

Why It Matters: Tarique Rahman's return marks a significant political shift in Bangladesh after his acquittal in all cases.