Tarique Rahman, the leading candidate to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister, returned to Bangladesh after 17 years ahead of the general election.
The 60-year-old is the titular head of the influential Zia family and the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
His political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is seeking to return to power when Bangladesh heads 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 emerges as the largest party.
Rahman’s return comes after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year.
He was investigated for various crimes while the Awami League was in power, but was cleared of all charges when the regime fell.
Hasina lives in exile in India and her party is unlikely to be allowed to participate in what many see as the most important election in Bangladesh’s history.
Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death for suppressing anti-government protests.
Up to 1,400 people have been killed in the student-led unrest, according to UN investigators.
Hasina, who was tried in absentia, has denied committing crimes against humanity.
