Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has filed a legal claim against British Airways because airline officials prevented her from boarding a flight to Bangladesh last month.
Ms. Hasina is seeking almost $2 million in damages from the airline. Her lawyers say British Airways' refusal caused Ms. Hasina severe "mental stress and agony."
Two weeks ago, airline officials in London stopped Ms. Hasina from boarding a plane for Dhaka, after Bangladesh's military-backed interim government barred her from returning to her home country. The government has since lifted restrictions on her return.
Lawyers representing Ms. Hasina say British Airways has two weeks to respond to the lawsuit.
Ms. Hasina is the head of the opposition political party, the Awami League. Party officials say she is set to fly back to Dhaka on Sunday.
Ms. Hasina has said she has every right to return to Bangladesh. She was prime minister from 1996 to 2001.
The government appeared to be attempting to exile Ms. Hasina as part of its campaign to clean up the country's notoriously corrupt political system.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
