Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death in Absentia
Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, received a death sentence on Monday after a lengthy trial found her guilty of orchestrating a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.
In the courtroom, many family members of the victims celebrated the verdict. Outside, crowds gathered, some kneeling in prayer—this ruling marks a severe historical precedent in the nation.
Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 amid escalating protests against her government, labeled the trial a “rigged court.” The current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, called the decision a “historic verdict,” but urged citizens to maintain calm while warning against any disturbances.
Protests Erupt
Following the verdict, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry requested India to extradite Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former interior minister who also received a death sentence in connection with the same case.
India acknowledged the ruling but, while committed to Bangladesh’s welfare, did not provide further details on the matter.
Earlier, tensions flared as police confronted protesters demanding the demolition of Hasina’s father’s partially destroyed home in Dhaka. The atmosphere remained tense, with security forces stationed around key government sites across major cities.
This ruling from the International Crimes Tribunal comes as the nation approaches elections scheduled for February. Hasina’s son indicated that violence could ensue if the ban on her political party, the Awami League, continues.
According to a UN report, nearly 1,400 people were killed and thousands wounded during protests from July 15 to August 5 of the previous year, the deadliest political unrest since the 1971 independence war.
Government Prepared for Unrest
Judge Gholam Mortuza Mozumder stated that Hasina, now 78, was found guilty on multiple counts, including incitement to murder and failure to prevent violence during the riots.
“We could only impose one sentence—death,” Mozumder declared. In her response, Hasina claimed the court was “biased and politically motivated.”
She remarked that the demand for her execution exposes the deadly intentions of those in the transitional government to eliminate the last elected prime minister and diminish the Awami League’s influence.
The interim government refuted her claims, stating the tribunal was fair and transparent. They called for public calm, warning that the ruling could stir strong emotions and that any disorder would be dealt with harshly.
Violence Before the Ruling
In the days leading up to the verdict, Bangladesh experienced unrest, with 30 crude bomb detonations and vehicles set ablaze nationwide, though no casualties were reported.
Yunus emphasized that moving forward requires accountability and rebuilding trust between the government and its citizens, following the verdict.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Hasina’s direct orders to use lethal force against demonstrators.
The public defender argued for Hasina’s acquittal, asserting the charges lacked merit. Since her departure, an interim government has assumed control of Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country with a population of around 170 million.
In a historical context, military leader Hossein Mohammad Ershad was sentenced to ten years in prison in 1991 for unlawful firearm possession. As one of the world’s largest garment exporters, Bangladesh’s industry has suffered due to the protests of the past year.
