India, Aug. 4 -- Bangladesh's former premier, Sheikh Hasina, has said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the fall of her government that she never resigned, and urged members of her Awami League party to continue their struggle for justice, peace, and religious harmony.

The statement, issued on Hasina's behalf from London, comes when Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has begun her trial in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity related to the suppression of student-led protests that led to the ouster of her regime. Hasina has lived in self-exile in India since she fled Dhaka on August 5 last year.

"Despite claims to the contrary, I never resigned from my duties as your Prime Minister. I believe in you. ...