The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has handed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a death sentence for her alleged role in the 2024 crackdown on anti government protests. The court described the actions attributed to her as crimes against humanity. Hasina was tried in absentia and continues to live in exile in India.
A three judge bench stated that she encouraged widespread extrajudicial killings carried out by security forces during weeks of violent unrest last year. Official estimates presented before the tribunal suggested that around 1,400 protesters lost their lives and close to 25,000 sustained injuries during the turmoil.
The prosecution asserted that the former leader faced charges that included approving the use of lethal weapons, drones and helicopters to disperse demonstrators as well as authorising hangings and inciting murder. Hasina has denied all allegations in conversations with international media and argued that bullets found at protest sites did not match the ammunition used by Bangladesh police. Several experts claimed that sniper fire might have been responsible for many of the deaths.
Her legal team has reached out to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions raising concerns about what they call a complete lack of fair trial rights and due process.
Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence Draws Global Attention Before Elections
Bangladesh is preparing for national elections set for February next year, although reports indicate that the Awami League may not be allowed to participate. The case relates to the July 2024 mass uprising which resulted in widespread clashes across the country before the fall of the Awami League government.
Along with Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun were also charged. Al Mamun later became an approver, which accelerated the trial. Proceedings officially came to an end on October 23.
The student led uprising in July 2024 began due to economic stress, corruption and a severe unemployment crisis. These nationwide protests eventually led to the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. She left Bangladesh on August 5 and moved to India while an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus assumed power.
Diplomats and analysts across South Asia are closely watching developments, noting that the verdict could deepen political divisions and fuel further unrest. Questions about judicial independence, transparency and fairness of proceedings continue to dominate international discussions. The verdict arrives at a time when Bangladesh is already grappling with instability and uncertainty about its political future.
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